Eugene (Gene) was born December 14, 1935 in Lone Elm, Kansas. Gene married his first wife Rachel Rutherford and they had 3 children together; Mike, Cheryl and Brian. Gene graduated from Kansas Teaching College in Emporia, KS in 1958 with a Bachelors in Education. He taught instrumental music in Sublette, KS and Andover, KS until 1965. After his teaching career, Gene went to work for Congoleum Corporation as a Sales Representative and Flooring Installation Specialist in 1966 where he spent 33 years total before he retired. Gene met the love of his life, Jacquelyn Roberts while at Congoleum Corporation and they were married on August 28, 1987. Jacquelyn (Jackie) had 3 children whom Gene treated as his own; Tom, Heather and Matthew. Gene and Jackie enjoyed their life together on their 30-acre farm in Louisburg, Kansas where Gene's hobbies included woodworking, restoring antique tractors and fishing daily at his pond.
Between them both, Gene and Jackie have 19 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren that have kept them busy. Gene enjoyed family gatherings, especially at Christmas time, where he would build the most beautiful gifts in his workshop.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents, John and Nina Keithly; his sisters, Patricia Hessman and
Gladys Ann Walton.
Eugene is survived by his wife Jackie Keithly, sister; Corine Stout, sons; Mike (Robin) and Brian Keithly,
Tom (Cindy) and Mathew (Jennifer) Roberts; daughters, Cheryl (Darryl) Carner and Heather (Scott)
White; 19 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and his precious dogs, Jac and Jill.
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