Keith A. Hand

Keith A. Hand, 85, of Hartford, passed away Friday, October 26, 2007, at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center. A Graveside Committal Service will be held at 2:30 P.M., Monday, October 29, 2007, at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma with Military Rites conducted by Coloma American Legion Post #362, VFW Post #1137 of Benton Harbor, VFW Post #6803 of Watervliet and Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Visitation with the family will be held Sunday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to send the family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Keith was born on the 4th of July, 1922. He was one of three sons born to James and Cassie Hand. On August 8, 1942, he married Dorothy Geisler in Chelsea, MI. Together they had two children. Keith was a proud veteran of WWII, serving as staff sergeant in Okinawa and the Pacific Theater. He loved sharing his memories of that time. Keith retired as a Laundry Engineer from Whirlpool Corp. Additionally he worked for his father at Hand Real Estate Agency. Keith enjoyed fixing things and working with wood. Additionally he enjoyed working in his flower garden. He also collected rare coins. Keith enjoyed the out-of-doors particularly hunting and fishing. He was extremely proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Keith is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son, Keith A. Hand, Jr. (Valerie) of Hartford; two grandchildren, Michael Kettelhut and Deborah Piggott; and by his three great- grandchildren, Brent & Christy Kettelhut; and Eric Piggott; his son-in-law Arnold Jackson, and his brother-in-law & sister-in-law John & Jeanne Pavlick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon Jackson and two brothers-Fay Hand & James Hand Jr.