Donetta Keehn

Donetta (Harris) Keehn, age 94 of Clarksville, Indiana passed away peacefully with family at her side on July 9, 2021. She was born on June 26, 1927 in Goose Rock, Kentucky. The Harris family moved to Indiana when Donetta was ten years old. She graduated from Morgan Township High School. After High School she attended Nursing School. She was unable to complete school, she could not tolerate standing for the long hours required by nursing. After returning home she began dating Cecil Keehn, who lived next door and had attended school together. They married on September 8, 1946. That was the beginning of their family which grew to include four children. Donetta really put the “home” in homemaker. She sewed, canned and raised their four children. In 1953, they moved to town to be near Cecil’s work. She became the “EMT” of the neighborhood because of her nurse’s training. Their home was the gathering place for the neighborhood kids. Donetta was always there for her family, friends and extended family. Donetta was very active in her children’s schools’ PTA, band, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. When her children were older, she went to work at the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant in Charlestown, Indiana. There she met some wonderful ladies. Some of which rode to work together and became lifelong friends. She made all of her three girl’s wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. She created many special things using her sewing, craft and crocheting skills, until her vision failed. She passed those skills onto her oldest daughter and granddaughters. She enjoyed doing ceramics. She and Cecil, (her husband of more than 70 years) were very active in the Hoosier Knobs Car Club. They enjoyed the IH (International Harvester) retiree monthly luncheons. They also enjoyed the annual trips to Florida with Cecil’s Army buddies and their wives. Donneta was, at one time, a part of “The Red Hats” group. A lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. She never missed a Harris or Keehn family reunion. Donetta was a faithful member of Morton Memorial United Methodist Church which later merged with Park United Memorial Methodist Church. She was instrumental in starting the 50+ group for senior citizens. She volunteered for the annual barbeque fundraiser, the mission committee and the food pantry. She was active in the weekly Bible Study Group. She will be missed by her numerous family member and countless “Adopted” Family and friends. She is survived by three of nine siblings; Diana Newerth (Donald-deceased) of Indianapolis, Indiana, Delva “Jean” Ayres (Carl) of Portage, Indiana and Doris Polsley-Gay (Garrett) of Indianapolis, Indiana; a brother-in-law, Robert Keehn (Phyllis) of New Albany, Indiana; a sister-in-law, Rose Keehn (Kenneth- deceased) of New Salisbury, Indiana; her four children, Rebecca Roth (James) of Huntsville, Alabama, LeLand “Sonny” Keehn (Lynda) of Jeffersonville, Indiana, Rhonda Tuttle (Floyd) of Pekin, Indiana and Pamela DuVall (Steve-deceased) of New Albany, Indiana; grandchildren, Jillene Tuttle (Larry Terrell) of Clarksville, Indiana, David Tuttle (Jill Spear) of Sellersburg, Indiana, Stephanie Baxter (Lance) of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, Grant Roth (Christie) of Somerville, Alabama, Ryne DuVall (Monique) of New Albany, Indiana, Holly DuVall (Nathanael Ervin) of New Albany, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Tyler Tuttle, Clay Shearer, Tracey Tengs, Elliott & Avery Baxter, Melody & Keehn DuVall; great-great-grandchildren, Natalie Tuttle and Ettalyn DuVall on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 17, 2021 with funeral service beginning at 3:00 pm at Kraft Funeral Service, 708 East Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150. Burial to follow in Kraft Graceland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Center for Lay Ministries, 213 East Maple Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130 or Catalyst Rescue Mission 1820 East Park Place, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130. A special thanks to all of the “Caring” Caregivers at Westminster Village, Hillcrest, Adaptive Hospice and especially to all the family and friends who visited and sat with her.