Eugene Philip Keyes

Eugene "Gene" Philip Keyes Feb 27,1919- Feb 14, 2014 The youngest of three boys, Eugene (Gene) Keyes was born in St. Joseph, Michigan to Erma (Seelye) and Carl L. Keyes, D.D.S. Gene passed away on 02/14/2014 in Wyoming, Michigan. Gene was active in the Boy Scouts and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Michigan State in 1941 and remained a proud life long Spartan. At Michigan State he was active in intramural sports where his teams medaled in touch football, basketball and softball. After his graduation, Gene was inducted into the U.S. Army as a second Lieutenant. He was assigned to Ft. Bragg where he joined the 36th Field Artillery Regiment and began to train on 155 mm guns. Before going overseas, he was named to a "soft job", special services officer, which involved playing basketball at Ft. Bragg. This team played other teams on base and also traveled to Durham, N.C. a few times to play against Wake Forest. He was later promoted to Captain and finally Major. Gene and his unit shipped overseas in July of 1942. He fought in Tunisia, North Africa until the campaign ended. The unit then landed in Sicily on D Day plus 10 and fought until the end of that campaign. Gene was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action near Matuer, Tunisia and received the Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat near Goito, Italy. Gene married Margery Mosher in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He worked as a sales representative until his retirement in 1981. Gene and Marge were then able to travel to many countries around the world as well as most of the United States. Among their favorite places to visit were the National Parks in the western United States. Gene was always an avid sports fan. He bowled, fished and played golf for many of his 94 plus years. He followed a variety of professional and college sports but he especially loved cheering on his MSU Spartans. Gene was preceded in death by Marge, his wife of 54 years as well as his two brothers and sisters-in-law, brother-in-law and both parents. He is survived by his daughters Christine (William) Matchinski of Evanston, WY, Andrea (Jerry) Jones of Wyoming, MI, granddaughters; Laura (James) Goodwin of Austin, TX, Katherine (Corey) Swanson of Iwakuni, Japan, Sarah (Benjamin) Porter of Lowell, MI and Caitlin Golden of Wyoming, MI, as well as great-grandsons; Dean Swanson of Iwakuni, Japan and Wyatt Porter of Lowell, MI. He also leaves behind a companion of several years, Rae Sayers of Grand Rapids, Michigan and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank both the staff at Waldon Woods and Great Lakes Caring Hospice for their care of Gene. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society. A memorial service will be held at Plymouth United Church of Christ in Grand Rapids, MI on May 18, 2014 at 6 pm. A grave side service at Ft. Custer, Augusta, MI with military honors will take place May 19, 2014 at 1 pm.