Bobby Joe Keith, 81, of Rising Sun, IN, passed away on Monday, March 14th, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Edgewood Hospital. Bobby was born in Milan, IN on January 23, 1941, a son of the late Virginia Lois (Buchanan) Keith and Virgil S. Keith. Bobby spent his entire life in the Ohio County community and was a 1959 graduate of Rising Sun High School. Bobby married the love of his life Dianna (Bondurant) Keith on March 2, 1963 at the Rising Sun Church of Christ. Four children were born to this union; Russell, Richard, Robert and Annie Jo. Bobby and Dianna recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary. Bobby worked at I&M/AEP for 36 years filling various positions. He worked in the coal yard (where he held the record of unloading coal the fastest), he also supervised the store room, and on occasion he stood in as plant manager. He was also Chief of the Tanners Creek Fire Brigade, of all his jobs at I&M/AEP this was the one he loved to talk about the most. He was a faithful lifelong member of the Rising Sun Church of Christ, where he served as an Elder. He was also a former board member of the Whitewater Christian Service Camp. Bobby was always active in Ohio County Government and held the position as Assessor for 48 years and served on the Ohio County Republican Committee. He was a member of the Rising Sun New Cemetery Board for several years. He also kept records for Cedar Hedge and Union cemeteries in Rising Sun and for the Quercus Grove Cemetery. Although he thoroughly enjoyed serving his community, his faith and family were the most important things to him. Bobby loved spending time with his grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to attend their sporting events.
Bobby Joe is survived by his loving wife, Dianna Keith, of Rising Sun, IN; by his three sons, Russell “Rusty” Keith and wife Yetta, of Rising Sun, IN; Richard “Ricky” Keith and wife Kelli, of Rising Sun, IN and Robert “Robby” Keith and wife Christie, of Chattanooga, TN; by his daughter, Annie Jo Jackson, and husband Kenny, of Rising Sun, IN; by grandchildren; Adam Keith (Jenifer), Matthew Keith (Taylor), Nathan Keith, Brenna Muenchen (Andrew), Tara Keith, Erin Keith, Noah Keith, Luke Keith, Christopher Jackson (Taylar) and by great grandchildren: Easton, Ellie, Eva Lea, Aydra, Haven Jo and Hadley Grace. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Lois Keith and by his sister, Bonnie Densler.
Visitation will be held 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 24th at the Rising Sun Church of Christ. Funeral services will be 11 AM, Friday, March 25th at the Rising Sun Church of Christ with Brother Andy Sims officiating. Burial will be at the Rising Sun New Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Rising Sun Church of Christ. Markland Funeral Home of Rising Sun, IN serving the family. marklandfuneralhome.com