Elton R. Keener, 83, formerly of Richland, PA, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, at the Brethren Village in Lititz, PA. He was the husband of the late Rita K. Ziegler Keener who died in 2012.
He was born in Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County on Sept. 11, 1937, a son of the late James F. and Laura Miller Keener. Elton was employed as a fish farmer, last working at Limestone Springs. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of St. Paul’s UCC in Schaefferstown; Williamson Lodge #307 F and AM; Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Shriner’s of Reading; Richland American Legion, Post 880; Womelsdorf Rod and Gun Club; and Sinnamahonning Sportsmans Club. He enjoyed gardening and going to his cabin in Driftwood, PA. He was a volunteer driver for Shiner’s Children’s Hospital and loved following his grandchildren playing sports.
Elton is survived by a daughter, Beth A. (Keener) Smith, wife of John M., of Myerstown; daughter-in-law, Kristi (Renninger) Keener, of Myerstown; grandchildren, Hilari M. (Keener) Murphy, wife of Ryan, of Wallingford, PA; Dylan J. Keener, husband of Leigh Anne, of Ann Arbor, MI; Jaclyn L. (Smith) Hackman, wife of Samuel, of Myerstown; Erika N. (Smith) Baker, wife of Daniel, of Rapid City, SD; Mackenzie L. Smith, of Myerstown; great-grandchildren, Colton and Lea Hackman; Finn and Rowan Murphy; Henry Keener; and sister, Myrle Burnside, of Locust Grove, VA.
He was preceded in death by a son, Bryan D. Keener, who died in 2015; brothers, Jay, James, and Louis Keener; and sister, Ethel Kreiser.
Funeral service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 at 2 p.m. in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 1304 Heidelberg Ave., Schaefferstown, PA 17088, with a viewing beginning on Sunday at 1 p.m. Interment will be made in the Schaefferstown Cemetery. Masonic service will be conducted by Williamson Lodge #307 F and AM at 12:45 p.m. in the church. Please consider following CDC guidelines and wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or St. Paul’s UCC. Clauser Funeral Home, Inc. is handling his arrangements. www.clauserfh.com
