Keith Sherk, of Niles

Published 8:53 am Thursday, January 16, 2020

April 17, 1937 — Jan. 11, 2020

Keith Edwin Sherk passed away at home in Niles on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at the age of 82.

Keith is predeceased by his father, Harold E. Sherk; his mother, Iva P. Sherk; his first wife, Rose Marie (Owen) Sherk; his brothers, Frederick Sherk and Kenneth Sherk; and his sister, Carlene (Kay) Yager.

Keith is survived by his loving wife, Virginia May Sherk, of 25 years. They were married in Buchanan in 1994.

Keith is lovingly remembered by his children, Carl (Elizabeth) Sherk, of Orange Park, Florida, William Sherk, of Pittsburg, California, Lora L. (Sherk) Ely, of Crawford, Colorado, Rex (Cyndi) Davis, Terrie (Milt) Sluder, Vicki (Michael) Holdeman, Patsy McMichael, Troy (Kendra) Walter, Mandy (Gary) Kind; and 15 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Richard (Joyce) Sherk, of Niles, and Robert (Barbara) Sherk, of Greendale, Indiana.

Keith was born in South Bend in April of 1937. He graduated from Dowagiac Union High School in 1955. He went on to work in several positions including Rudy’s, the Dowagiac Fire Department, Lee Memorial Hospital, Whistling Acres in Paonia, Colorado, and he retired from Special-Lite Inc.

Keith volunteered at Indian Lake Fire Department for many years. He also served as a Boy Scout Leader and was a deacon at Sister Lakes Community Church before moving out of the area. Keith, even in retirement, continued to serve in the various churches he attended as well as becoming the fire chief at the Swan Lake Volunteer Fire Department in Altheimer, Arkansas until 2019.

Keith was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Keith was a man of faith, and his faith provided him with hope throughout his struggles with cancer. Keith enjoyed many hobbies, fishing, building, woodworking, gardening and he especially loved to help other people.

The visitation will be held at Sister Lakes Community Church at 1 p.m.  Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, with the memorial service immediately following at 2 p.m. with Pastor Doug Cuthbert and Pastor Mike Elsey officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Care Circle of Lakeland 4017 Chamberlain Road, Buchanan, MI 49107, or a financial gift can be made to Virginia Sherk to help cover the medical expenses incurred during the past months. Condolences for the family may be offered online at: purelycremations.org/keith-edwin- sherk/#respond.