James Claude Keith, 78 of Wheelersburg, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY. He was born May 20, 1936 in Wakenva, Virginia, the son of the late Deckery Shannon and Opal Irene Miller Keith. James was also preceded in death by 2 brothers and 2 sisters. James was an Army Veteran, had worked for the University Trucking in Columbus, was a member of the Masonic Lodge #70 in Marion, OH, and had attended the Antioach Free Will Baptist Church in Wheelersburg.

James is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lou Ella Fain Keith, whom he married on February 20, 1965 in Marion, OH; two daughters, Lisa (John) Bass of Birmingham, AL and Joann Keith of Wheelersburg; 3 brothers, Carter, Leslie, and Ricky Keith; 6 sisters, Nadine Mann, Ann Keith, Betty Howard, Sharon Hopkins, Barbara Dillinger, and Thelma Dooley; and 3 grandchildren, Chris Keith, Maggie Rowedda, and Stephen Bass.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at the Swick-Bussa-Chamberlin Funeral Home in Wheelersburg with Pastor Rick Henderson officiating. Interment will be at Vernon Cemetery in Wheelersburg. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. with a Masonic service at 8 p.m. on Saturday and one hour prior to the service on Sunday at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent the family at www.swickbussachamberlin.com.