Nashville, MI

Russell Karl Keech went to be with his lord and savior on December 19, 2013 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mi. after a courageous battle with cancer.
Russ was born to Metha (Kessler) and Chester Keech of Hastings on August 17th 1934 the youngest of three boys.
After graduating from MSU and serving in the US Army, in Korea, he met and married the love of his life, Joan Johnson. They celebrated 56 years of marriage on April 19, 2013.
Russ taught school in Nashville for two years and then went to work for Farmers Home Administration. That position took him and his family to Centerville, MI for a short time and then back to Nashville where he and Joan purchased the farm on Bivens Road known as Walnut K Farm. There, they provided their children and later their grandchildren and great grandchildren with many fond memories and life lessons.
Since retiring in 1989, Russ spent most of his time enjoying the solitude that the farm provided. He really enjoyed cutting wood and tinkering with his tractor. When not at home, he could be found at all the auction and antique sales, the golf course or volunteering at the Nashville Food Bank which he and Joan organized and kept stocked. Monday afternoons were always reserved for a hand or two of poker with the guys.
Russ loved the lord and also spent many hours working at the Nashville United Methodist Church where he had been a member for several years.
In addition to his wife Joan, Russ is survived by two brothers Don (Nadine)Keech and Bill (Jerrine) Keech, and their families . He leaves with heavy hearts his three children, Cindy (Chris) Hall of Dowling , Cheryl (Mark) Harrison of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Dan (Vera) Keech of Durant Oklahoma. Grandchildren, John(Ashlee) Keech of Bellevue, Washington, Katie (Matt) Ostermeier of Dallas Texas, Megan and Hannah Harrison of Bainbridge Island Washington, Jamie Smith of Hastings, Jessica (Jeff) Niles of Caledonia, and Pete (Dana) Smith of Nappanee, Indiana. Great- grandchildren, Tyler, Alexis, Casey, Emma, Carter, Thomas, Brock and Max and Great Great-grandson, Jordan. He was a huge part of all of their lives and will be missed greatly.
Russ always put others before himself in this life and requested that upon his death his body be donated to Michigan State University Medical School hoping that he could save someone else's life.
A memorial service is planned in the spring. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund or the Nashville United Methodist Church for purposes designated by the family.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net