Wharff, Keith W. 1921-2004

WHARFF, SAYLES, HATCH, DORR, BLOOMER, ETZEL

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 6/25/2005 at 22:03:54

DES MOINES -- Keith W. Wharff, 82, of Des Moines, formerly of Newton, died of cancer Monday, Jan. 26, at Wesley Acres.

Memorial services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Marion with the Rev. Howard Chapman officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Avon Cemetery in Avon, Ill.

Memorials will be accepted to First Presbyterian Church of Marion, Monmouth College in Monmouth, Ill., or to the garden fund for Wesley Acres Courtyard in Des Moines.

The son of Conard M. and Golda Mae (Sayles) Wharff, he was born April 12, 1921, in Atkinson, Neb. He was raised in Newton and graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1939. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Monmouth college in 1949 and married Hazel Marie Hatch on Nov. 6, 1949.

He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He worked in business sales and service for 40 years. A Presbyterian for more than 50 years, he served as an elder and a deacon. He participated actively in school, church and civic life in several midwestern communities, including Springfield, Ill., Omaha, Neb., Dayton, Ohio, Normal, Ill., and Marion. In recent years, he enjoyed ushering at church, golfing, gardening, walking and going to the public library and volunteering in a reading program for elementary school children.

Survivors include his wife; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Anne M. Wharff of Springfield, Ill., Carol J. and Douglas D. Dorr of St. Peters, Mo., Mary G. Wharff and Michael A. Bloomer of Lawrence, Kan., and Julia K. Wharff of Kettering, Ohio; a son and daughter-in-law, David H. Wharff and Dana D. Etzel of Urbandale; two grandchildren; a brother, Donald M. Wharff of Raymore, Mo.; and three brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Harold A. and Millie Hatch, Henry E. and Donna Hatch and W. Jerome Hatch.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kenneth; and a sister-in-law, Gretchen Wharff.

Newton (IA) Daily News, Thursday, January 29, 2004