David Keim, age 75, a resident of Thatcher and formerly of Eagar, peacefully passed away on Saturday morning, June 11, 2016, at the Beehive Homes of Thatcher.
Karl David Keim was born in Covington, Kentucky on March 7, 1941, the son of Imogene (Miller) and Karl Henry Keim. He had two older sisters, Janet and Nancy. At the age of three, David’s family relocated to Arizona and made their home in Tucson. Following his graduation from high school, David enrolled in classes at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher. While there, he met the love of his life, Gale Louise Wiltbank. They were married February 16, 1963 and were sealed for time and all eternity in the Arizona Mesa Temple later that same year on November 16th. Their union was blessed with six wonderful children: Mike, Kevin, Kris, Kathryn, Spencer and Steven.
Throughout his lifetime, David worked hard to provide for his family. For the majority of his working years, he was a soil and sediment tester for Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation. Towards the end of his career, he worked with Gale at his side, first as a hotel manager and then as a long-haul truck driver. They loved spending every day together. In 1998, David and Gale returned to the Gila Valley, to live in Thatcher. Tragedy struck in October of 1999, when Gale passed away.
David was married to Joyce Hunt from 2000 to 2015. David will be remembered for the love he had for his family, for the time he spent camping with his children, and for the annual family reunions where time was spent with his extended family. He will also be remembered for his love of sports, especially for his beloved Dallas Cowboys. David was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served as a worker in the Mesa and Gila Valley Temples.
In recent years, as his health began to decline, David resided at the Beehive Homes of Thatcher. The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Spencer Heap and his entire staff for the outstanding care they provided David.
David leaves behind – his children: Mike (Tiffany) of Sandy, Utah; Kevin (Keri) of Mesa; Kris (Andrea) of Phoenix; Kathryn Cordier (Ira) of Columbus, Indiana; Spencer, of Pleasant Grove, Utah; and Steven (Jodi) of Thatcher; his sister: Nancy Hansen, of Tucson; and eighteen grandchildren. David was preceded in death by: his wife, Gale; his parents, Karl Henry and Imogene Keim; and his sister, Janet Mendez.
Funeral services for David will be held Saturday morning, June 18, 2016, at 11:00 a.m., at the Eagar L.D.S. Stake Center by Bishop Kyle Smith of the Eagar Fourth Ward. Concluding services will follow in the Eagar Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., at the Eagar L.D.S. Stake Center Relief Society Room.
Online condolences may be offered at viningfuneralhome.com Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
