Keith Clites

Keith Clites, age 85, of Hastings, IA, died at the Montgomery County Memorial Hosptital in Red Oak, IA on March 7, 2009.

Charles Keith Clites, one of three children of Mabel (Purcell) and Alfred Vernon Clites, was born on a farm west of Hastings, Iowa on March 4, 1924. Keith attended the Wearin School through the third grade and completed his education in Hastings where he graduated from high school in 1942.

During WWII, Keith entered the U.S. Army on April 20, 1943, and received his basic training in North Camp Hood, Texas. He volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and received his training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Following his jump training and a stop at Camp McCall, North Carolina, he was then sent to England and assigned as a rifleman in the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry of the 101 Airborne Division. His combat missions took him to Holland, Bastogne, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Normandy in central Europe. His commendations included receiving four Bronze Battle Stars, four Bronze Service Arrowheads, and two Overseas Bars.

After the war, Keith returned to Mills County and began his lifelong trucking career. After working for his father for a few years, Keith began his own trucking business known as Clites Trucking.

In 1949, Keith met his future wife, Lois Leona Boyd, who was a coach and teacher at Hastings, Iowa. They were married in Red Oak, Iowa on May 21, 1949 and made their home in Hastings. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Steven Keith, Timothy Floyd, and Marla Sue.

From 1968 to 1988, Keith and Lois lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Lois was teaching. Keith continued his trucking and in 1988, they returned to Hastings. Keith was a member of the Hastings United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post 575 at Emerson. He was proud to be an American and proud of his military service. He and Lois were able to travel to Holland in observance of the 50th anniversary of his parachute jump into Holland. They enjoyed their family and watching their grandchildren's sporting events. With the help of his grandchildren, Keith planted and cared for trees at the Hastings Cemetery. Another of his enjoyments was playing cards.

Keith and Lois had been married 54 years when Lois died at their home near Hastings on January 29, 2004. Keith continued to live in their home and operate his trucking business. In 2004, accompanied by his son, Steve and grandson, Todd, Keith again returned to Holland for the 60th anniversary of the 101st Airborne jump into Holland.

In 2005, Keith and Florene "Tina" (Harold) Rife were married. They enjoyed time spent together and participating in community events in the Hastings area.

Keith died at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital on March 7, 2009, at the age of 85 years and 3 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Tim, wife Lois, sister Peggy Haines, and brother Floyd Clites.

Keith is survived by his son, Steve Clites and wife Sheryl of Sunrise Beach, Missouri; daughter, Marla Clites of Homeland, California; grandchildren, Todd Clites of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Shelley Wheeler and her husband Dustin and their two sons, Hayden and Mason, all of Smithville; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials suggested to the Hastings United Methodist Church.