Keith Hoskins of Wellman was born Jan. 17, 1927, in Jefferson County, the son of Moses and Vera (Leppert) Hoskins. Keith served in the United States Army from October 1946 to May 1947. After the service, Keith was united in marriage to Althea Mae Rupley on June 2, 1951, in South Bend, Indiana. He graduated from Pleasant Plain Schools then graduated from William Penn with a degree in teaching. Keith was a social studies teacher before becoming a special needs teacher for several years in the Clinton community. He enjoyed weaving, gardening, food preservation and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Keith and Althea moved from their longtime home in Clinton to the Wellman area in 2009. After moving to Wellman, Keith and Althea became involved and appreciated the people at Asbury Methodist Church. Keith volunteered serving breakfast at the Alternative School and helping with the Food Bank. He learned to enjoy the benefits of living in a small town where employees at the grocery store, bank and post office soon learned to know him. He looked forward to Meals on Wheels being delivered each day and chatting with whomever delivered the meal. Three years ago, he moved into Parkview Manor. The caregivers enjoyed his sense of humor, high fives, the hat he wore, etc. Keith passed away May 26, 2024, at Parkview Manor Nursing Home at the age of 97 years old.
Keith is survived by two sons: Moses Hoskins of New York City, New York and George (Lucinda) Hoskins of Wellman; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Celena Hoskins and children Cyrus and Adelae of Portugal and Benjamin (Erica) Hoskins and children Brenna, Nolan and Evan of East Moline, Illinois; a sister: Darlene of Altoona; a sister-in-law: Carol Hoskins of Los Altos, California.
He is preceded in death by his wife Althea: four brothers: Richard, Alfred, Hubert and Robert; three sisters: Rose, Martha and Ruth.
A celebration of life service will be 11 a.m., Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona. Burial will be at Friends Cemetery in Pleasant Plain at 2 p.m. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until service time. The service will be live streamed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. A memorial fund has been established for Goodwin Senior Center in Wellman. Message may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona is caring for Keith and his family.
