Bloxham, Keith E. 1924-2005

RUCKHABER, BLOXHAM, EWING, MAY, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 1/17/2006 at 19:48:02

Keith Bloxham

Keith E. Bloxham, 81, of Waukon, Iowa, died Friday, December 9, 2005, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, December 12 at Forest Mills United Methodist Church in rural Postville, Iowa, with Rev. Richard A. Iles officiating. Burial with military graveside rites was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Keith Elton Bloxham was born May 26, 1924, on the Franklin Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, farm of his parents, Clarence Oscar and Delaney Mildred (Ruckhaber) Bloxham. He started at the Cherry Valley rural school and finished at the Gunder School when he moved there with his parents. After his schooling he helped on the home farm as well as working for a number of neighboring farmers. From 1944 until 1946 Keith served in the US Army as a TEC 5 with Troop B of the 8th Engineers Squadron. His duty included a year in the Philippines where he fought in the battle of Luzon and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Following his return from the service, he married Ruth Ewing September 14, 1946, at the Forest Mills Church. Keith was an auto body repairman for all of his working career. He worked at several area garages, including Ludeking Garage and Russ Enyart Ford in Waukon, and then spent nearly 30 years running the body shop at John Falb Co. in Postville. Keith continued to live in the Forest Mills area until moving to Waukon in 2001.

A man of great faith, Keith was a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association and was a life-long active member of Forest Mills United Methodist Church, where he held numerous offices. He belonged to the VFW and took great pride in his country and its servicemen. Some of his favorite pastimes were traveling, coin collecting, and watching John Wayne movies. He maintained an interest in antique cars and was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. Beyond any other interests, Keith’s family remained his top priority. Whether helping to prepare the usual Sunday family dinner, spending time with the younger children, or making a special trip to visit, he loved being with family. His dedication was particularly evident in the devoted and gentle care he gave to his wife Ruth during her past several years of health difficulties.

He now resides in his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior, but left to cherish his memory are his wife Ruth and two sons, Roger Vickery and Chuck (Maxine) Bloxham, all of Waukon; five grandchildren, Nichole, Alycia, Tammy, Jason, and Jenny; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty (Eugene) May of Oregon and Lorna (George) Miller of Ely, Iowa; two brothers, Ronald Bloxham of Cedar Rapids and Richard (Edith) Bloxham of Waukon; and a sister-in-law, Norma Bloxham, also of Waukon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Charles and James; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn.

Casketbearers were Randy and Jason Bloxham, Obert Johnson, John May, Jerry Ewing, and Lee Stegen. Honorary casketbearers were his great-grandchildren, Leslie, Peyton, Michael, Katerina, Alexia, Alec, Spencer, Hannah, Connor, and Grace.

Waukon Standard, December 14, 2005