Wayne "Keith" Searles

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Wayne "Keith" Searles on December 30, 2025, at his home, surrounded by family. Keith was born on February 2, 1938, in Lynn, Massachusetts, to Norman Roy Searles and Eleanor May Searles (Rogers). Keith was a lifelong resident of Eliot, ME. After Eleanor's death in 1946, Keith's father remarried in February of 1948 to Barbara, which resulted in Keith becoming a big brother to three siblings, David, Pamela, and Anita.

Keith would form many lifelong friendships growing up in Eliot. He graduated from Eliot High School in 1956 and served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1959. During his time, he was stationed in South Korea, and on his way back home, stopped in Hawaii and Alaska, which were territories at the time. He was immensely proud to have served his country.

Upon his discharge, Keith worked various construction jobs in the New England area. He was proud to be a part of the building of the Piscataqua River Bridge and several New Hampshire highways. He would eventually work for the Federal government/NH Air National Guard at Pease Air Force Base. He very much enjoyed watching President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton fly to the Air Force base and even got to step aboard Air Force One. He very much enjoyed attending the many air shows with his family while he was employed with the Air Force at Pease. He would retire from the Air National Guard in 2001.

Keith met Antoinette Beaudet at a dance at the singles club in Newington, NH. They dated for a couple of years until he proposed to her using his mother's ring. They were married two years later on May 16, 1981.

Outside of work, Keith enjoyed anything history-related, visiting friends, time at his home on the Piscataqua River in Eliot, New England sports, family, and his cats Pepper, Crystal, Tasha, and Parker. He would often be found at the corner store in Eliot, having a coffee and chatting with friends. He was immensely proud of his son Norman, and he never missed a sporting or school event. One of his proudest moments was seeing his son graduate from Maine Maritime Academy. Keith was always known to visit friends and family and would always be available when needed. The simple act of sitting down with friends and family brought a lot of joy to his life. He was a proud member of the Masons, Shriners Hospital, Eliot Historical Society, Living Water United Methodist Church, and being an Eliot community member in general. He served on the bicentennial committee for Eliot's 200th anniversary. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Antoinette, taking drives and walks at the mall.

He was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Eleanor Searles, Stepmother Barbara Fernald Searles Gauthier, and brother David W. Searles. He is survived by his beloved wife, Antoinette Searles, son Norman (Stephanie) Searles, and sisters Anita (David) Crosby and Pamela (Rick) Theobald. He was also proud of his nieces and nephews, Amanda (Keith) Crosby, Ben (Lauren) Crosby, Jacob Crosby, Norma (Andrew) Bartlett, Sam Theobald, Brian Searles, Jacqueline (Jared) Davis, Brett Beaudet, and Moxie Carson, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

A wake will be held on Thursday, January 8th, at J.S. Pelkey and Sons Funeral Home in Kittery, ME, from 4-6 pm. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 9th, at Living Water United Methodist Church in Eliot, ME, at 1 pm, with a reception to follow. A graveside ceremony will be held later. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Shriners Hospital in his name.