Keith Hartman Clayton, 89, of rural Galena, IL, passed away Sunday, April 10, 2016, at Highview in the Woodlands, in Rockton, IL.

Visitation will be from 9:30 A/M to 11 A/M, on Friday, April 22, 2016, at the Galena United Methodist Church, in Galena, followed by a Memorial Service at 11 A/M, at the church.

The Miller & Steinke Funeral Home, in Galena, is assisting the family.

Mr. Clayton was born January 14, 1927, in Upper Sandusky, OH, the son of William H. and Bernice (Grummel) Clayton. He lost his parents at an early age and was lovingly raised by his aunt and uncle, Della and Hugh Ekleberry, in Bucyrus, OH, along with his beloved brother, Paul Clayton, and cousin, Richard Ekleberry.

Keith married Grace M. Shiffer, in Bucyrus, OH, on September 3, 1949. They moved to Galena in 1954 when he became plant manager for Kraft Food Corporation. He and Grace lovingly raised three daughters in Galena, a community they treasured and appreciated. Keith once said, "When we travel, I'm most excited when the car comes around Horseshoe Mound and I can see that I am home."

He expressed his appreciation through community service. He served on the Galena State Bank Board of Directors (27 years), the first Galena Zoning Board, the Galena Public Library Board, the Galena Hospital Board and various committees for the Galena United Methodist Church. He was a member of the VFW, Elks, American Legion, Lions, Illinois Farm Bureau and the Illinois and Northwest Forestry Associations.

Keith was committed to the success of the Galena Kraft plant and had great respect for the local team, their hard work and their dedication to quality. He served as plant manager until 1989 when he retired after 39 years of service.

In 1968, driven by his belief in hard work and love of nature, Keith moved his family to a farm in rural Galena which he managed simultaneously with his Kraft position and then during his retirement. While farming, he was dedicated to using good conservation practices, including planting many trees, to protect the environment and provide habitat for wildlife.

A veteran of World War II who served two years with a U. S. Navy Flying Squadron in the Atlantic and Caribbean, Mr. Clayton received a bachelor's of science degree from Ohio State University in Dairy Technology. He always had great pride in Ohio State football, having played on the lightweight football team.

Throughout his life, Keith enjoyed following his beloved Buckeyes, hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling.

Mr. Clayton is survived by his daughters, Jane (Bill) Malone, of Roscoe, IL, Pat (John) Willy, of Galena, IL, and Barb (Dale) Koch, of Chapel Hill, NC; four (4) grandchildren, Christine and Sean Malone, Sarah (Justin) Murphy and Anna (David) Covey; and three (3) great-grandchildren, Clayton, Madeline and Isla Murphy. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Marjory Clayton, of Sun City, AZ, and Maxine Ekleberry, of Marion, OH; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dorothy and George Fischer III, of Bucyrus, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, Paul and Richard; and a great-grandson, Jaxson Murphy.

The family expresses their appreciation to his many loving caregivers, both in Galena and at Highview.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation, the Galena United Methodist Church or the Alzheimers Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com