Rev. Roger E. Keech

CHAMBERSBURG Rev. Roger, E. Keech, 86, formerly of Blue Ridge Summit, entered into eternal life at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, January 7, 2010, in the Chambersburg Hospital. He was born on August 13, 1923 in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Earl Eugene and Helen Irene (Wagner) Keech. He lived his early life in York. Rev. Keech graduated from Manchester High School in York with the class of 1941. He then received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Lebanon Valley College with the class of 1950.He received his Bachelor of Divinities from Bonebrake Seminary in 1953 in Dayton, Ohio, and his Master of Divinities from United Seminary in 1954. Rev. Keech served in the United States Army/Air Corps as a bomber, serving in the European Theater. He and his late wife, Mrs. Ruth E. (Gearhart) Keech, were married on September 13, 1947, in Hawley Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blue Ridge Summit. They moved to Blue Ridge Summit in July 1988. Mrs. Keech died April 2, 2006. Mr. Keech moved with his son and daughter-in-law, Jake and Dot Keech, in Chambersburg on July 15, 2009. Rev. Keech served various United Methodist churches in Myersville, Md., York, and Shippensburg, from 1953 until retiring in June 1988. He then served as conference secretary of Global Ministries from 1988 through 1994. From 1995 through 1997 he served as visitation pastor at Faith United Methodist Church in Waynesboro and served as Mission Interpreter of General and Conference Boards of Global Ministries during his retirement. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and served on various conference boards and committees; served with the Lions Clubs, both in York and Shippensburg, for a total of 38 years; and served with the Boy Scouts of America for 45 years, receiving district awards and the Merit and Silver Beaver Award. He also served on the York County Pollution Control Board and North York Zoning Board. He is survived by four sons, Daniel Allen Keech of Dallastown, David E. Keech of York, Jonathan E. "Jake" Keech of Chambersburg, and James E. Keech of Afghanistan; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mildred Stough and Margaret Feeser, both of Long Neck, Del., and Connie Aldinger of Manchester; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Gloria Knaub; and two brothers, Kenneth Keech and Donald Keech. A celebration of his life will he celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 13, 2010, in Faith United Methodist Church, 104 N. Potomac St., Waynesboro, with the Rev. Mark R. Shover officiating. There will be no public viewing for it was his request to have his body donated to science for the betterment of man-kind. Family will receive friends one hour prior to services in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith United Methodist Church, 104 N. Potomac St., Waynesboro, PA 17268; or Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com