Arthur, Keith 1930-1978

ARTHUR, ROBERTS, GERARD, SNOOK, JAMES, OBRIEN, STEMSRUD, LASH, MCDOWELL, LOWRY, TICE, SAUNDERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/31/2010 at 09:21:55

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) Jan. 19, 1978

KEITH ARTHUR, 47, KILLED IN WEDNESDAY CRASH

A Searsboro man was killed outright in the 5:45 a.m. collision of two autos in Searsboro Wednesday morning. The driver of a second car was in "serious" condition at an Iowa City Hospital.

Keith Arthur, 47, was the fatality in the crash. Arthur had been an employee of Grinnell College's building and grounds department for some time.

Seriously injured in the accident was John Harold Roberts, 20, of New Sharon. Roberts was brought to Grinnell General Hospital immediately after the crash, and shortly thereafter transferred to the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Iowa City.

Officials there listed him in "serious" condition Wednesday.

'CROSSED CENTER LINE'

Sheriff Max Allen said of the crash, "Keith Arthur was heading north on Highway 146 in the Searsboro city limits, and John Roberts was heading south. Apparently, Roberts had crossed over the center line and this accident resulted."

Allen remarked that the crash took place on a level stretch of the street, and that Arthur was killed instantly in the accident.

A charge of failure to yield half of the travelled portion of the road is pending on Roberts. Combined damages in the crash, Allen said, totaled $5,000.

BORN IN 1930

Keith Arthur was born on July 6, 1930, the son of Cecil H. and Pansy Gerard Arthur, near Searsboro. He attended schools there and graduated from Searsboro High School, before serving with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Korean conflict.

On Jan. 6, 1953, he married Gladys Snook in Montezuma. The couple had always lived in Searsboro.

For several years he had farmed and done part-time carpentry work for Rex James in Searsboro. For the past 15 years, he was employed at Grinnell College.

Surviving him are his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Terrance (Marilyn) O'Brien, Nancy Arthur of Ames, and Barbara Arthur of Malcom; two sons, Rex Arthur of Lynnville, and Cecil Arthur of the family home; his father; six sisters, Mrs. Bert (Margaret) Stemsrud of Montezuma, Mrs. Ed (Betty) Lash of Massilon, Ohio, Mrs. Roger (Eva) McDowell of Searsboro, Mrs. Richard (Doris) Lowry of rural Grinnell, Mrs. Ronald (Shirley) Tice of Corning; and Mrs. Jack (Aileen) Saunders of Panora; and two brothers, Kenneth Arthur of Mansfield, Mo., and Ward Arthur of Omaha, Neb.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday, but friends may call at Smith Funeral Home.