Keith H. Ries  88
of Kenton

Keith H. Ries, 88, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at Hardin Memorial Hospital in Kenton, Ohio on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.
He was born Nov. 8, 1927, in Lima, Ohio, to the late Harold and Violet (Burkholder) Ries.
He married Merla Mae Hess in 1949, and she died in 1998. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, a younger brother, a sister-in-law and a grandson.
He is survived by his "Sweetie Pie" of 18 years, Evelyn Reese; his children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; a brother; nieces and nephews; and many extended family members.
A back-breakingly hard worker, Keith was a lifetime farmer, who loved working the fields, tinkering on the machinery and making hay. He loved truck pulls and won many trophies in his younger years. And he was so proud when he earned his commercial driver's license at age 60.
He hauled milk and lumber for a long time, and even last year at age 87 he was still hauling log cabins for his Amish friends, a group of people he loved and was particularly dedicated to. Hundreds of Amish over the years had Keith to thank for everything from taking their sick children to hospitals to getting them to the bus station on time. All he ever sought in return was good conversation and their friendship.
He was a member of the Goshen Grange, Kenton Moose Lodge 428, Hardin County Coonhunters Club and, since at least the 1960s, the First Reformed United Church of Christ in Kenton. He was particularly devoted to his church. He and the pastor's wife, Sally Eisenman, organized the annual candy Easter Egg fundraiser for decades, and Keith was never wrong when it came to knowing just how much chocolate or peanut butter it took to make every egg perfect. Every church meal was equally perfect under his eagle eye and talented cook's hands.
A gentle giant, Keith's body rumbled with a deep and joyful laugh that could shake a room when something tickled him. He had a big heart and a warm spirit, even when he was in the thick of a euchre or rummy card game that everyone knew he wanted to win.
He especially enjoyed bluegrass music. He and Evelyn shared many wonderful trips across the country over the years, and the Hills of Home Bluegrass Festival in Coeburn, Va., always was their favorite.
He was giving and kind, and always put others before himself.
Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at PRICE McElroy FUNERAL HOME, Kenton. The Rev. Tom Eisenman will lead the service at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016. Burial will follow in Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Keith's memory to the First Reformed United Church of Christ, 313 W. Columbus St., Kenton, Ohio 43326. Online condolences may be sent to pricefh.net.
 

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