John “Jack” Keith, 79

CORTLAND – John “Jack” Keith, 79, died Friday, Nov. 23, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.
He was born Dec. 2, 1927 in Grant Town, W.Va., the son of the late Orlando R. Keith and Roxie Olean (Davis) Keith.
A Cortland resident sinse 1947, Mr. Keith was a self-employed plumber for 50 years and a member of the BTJ Plumbers Union Local 396. He had been a member of the Cortland Volunteer Fire Department and was very active with the Cortland Lions Club where he had served as past president.
Jack was an avid golfer and enjoyed hunting, horse racing and playing cards.
He is survived by his wife, Lois R. (Dakin) Keith, whom he married May 20, 1977; two stepdaughters, Joan Dales of Cortland and Linda Raphoon of Mississippi; three stepsons, Ed Griffiths of Cortland, Bill Griffiths of Bazetta and Bruce Seiple of Cortland; two brothers, Frank Keith of Cleveland and Tom Keith of Berea; 17 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Besides his parents, Mr. Keith was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna (Hefner) Keith in 1976; a daughter, Pam Galonski; a stepson, Ray Griffiths; a stepdaughter, Beverly Payne; three sisters, Paulene Hawkins, Floe Keener and Bertie Armstrong; and a grandson, Michael Raphoon.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel, 164 North High St. in Cortland, where the funeral service will be at 6 p.m. Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to the Cortland Lions Club.
Arrangements are being handled by the Shafer-Winans Funeral Chapel in Cortland.
Family and friends may visit www.shaferwinanschapel.com to view this obituary and send condolences.