Keith Stuart

Keith was born November 27, 1933 and returned home to our Heavenly Father 82 years later on his birthday, November 27, 2015.
Keith was the oldest son of Thomas Murray Stuart and Eva Furness who preceded him in death. He has one brother, Robert (Anita) Stuart – Phoenix, Arizona, two sisters, Iva (DeWayne) Biesinger Pitt and Loreen (Grant) Parks – both of St. George.
His early education years were in the Wellsville and South Cache Education systems. He and his brother and sisters were raised by his grandparents of whom he had the deepest love and respect. He spoke often of learning to work hard on their family farm at the North end of Wellsville, then returning home to a very crowded little home where love prevailed.
In 1951, at the age of seventeen he enlisted into the United States Navy serving 5 years in such places as Korea, Japan, Morocco, Alaska and other countries in the far East and Europe becoming a Korean Vet. He was called home upon receiving word of his Grandmothers death, which he couldn’t believe and was taking it very hard. Jobs were very hard to find during that period of time so within 6 months after an honorable discharge from the Navy he enlisted into the United States Air Force.
He was serving at Alconbury A.F.B. in Peterborough England whilst looking for an LDS church to attend he found his bride-to-be and a readymade family. He married Joan Mavis Doughty Kruckiewicz on June 25, 1960. November 11, 1961 they were sealed in the London Temple. With his newly acquired family, son Stuart, daughter Hilary and wife Joan, they welcomed Lyndon Keith Charles Stuart into the world on April 29, 1961.
In 1962 dad and his family came state side and were stationed in Niagara Falls, NY. The fourth child, Simon David Stuart, was welcomed into our family. In 1967 dad was assigned a tour of duty in Araxos, Greece. Unable to take his family he brought them to Wellsville for that year. Dad was very determined to better his status in life. He attained his high school GED, went on to College taking classes at night for many years and was awarded many certificates of achievement in education throughout his Military career.
Dad had a great love for the Gospel and has served in many church callings throughout his life. He served as the LDS Servicemen’s Group Leader on a number of Military bases, Second Counselor to the Bishop in the Niagara Falls ward for several years, Sunday school teacher, Scout Leader, High Priest, Temple Officiator and many other callings of which he was pleased to be of service. He loved to read church doctrine and self help books. He has acquired quite a library over the years.
While serving in Cheyenne, WY a devastating accident happened to dad’s youngest son Simon and another little boy, David. While playing in a shipping container on base in the backyard area of the housing development, spontaneous combustion of shipping materials ignited, trapping the boys inside. Both perished in the fire at the young age of six.
Transferring from Cheyenne to Maine in hopes of mending a grief stricken family; matters became worse losing a baby girl at 4 ½ months gestation and despair set in along with mountains of snow and no transfer in sight. Dad retired from the service in 1972 bringing his wife and son to Wellsville where they built their home.
After working many menial jobs he was then hired on at Thiokol where he worked for 20 years. He had vast experience in Missiles and Production Control. Hoping for a new and wonderful life dad retired the early summer of 1996. Upon his last day of work he found out that his wife, Joan, had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and she passed away 6 weeks later of complications during surgery. All plans for a fun retired life came to a standstill.
In a bit of a tail spin, dad tried to make plans for a different style of life. He was invited to go to the Senior Singles Night. Not wanting to go, he asked his neighbor (who had just lost her husband) and an old school friend (who was now widowed as well and had just moved back to Wellsville) to accompany him to cheer them all up. He struck up a relationship with his friend and asked her to marry him. On October 26, 1996 Donnetta Leishman Olsen became dad’s companion, friend and care giver for 19 years. Donnetta’s children are: Nancy Olsen, Kelda (Steve) Toliver, Lawrence (Lynette) and Keith (Diane) Olsen which have been a loving and supporting part of this mixed family.
Just to finish his story on December 12, 1996 dad received a call from his daughter, Hilary, to tell him his son Lyndon had passed away from a massive heart attack at the young age of 35. Rallying again with the help of Donnetta and Family, he enjoyed 16 years of a full and loving life. His last three years fighting dementia, Lewy Bodies a form of Alzheimer’s. Like everything else he did, he fought this hard and long. With Donnetta’s help, love and supervision he was able to stay at home until the last 6 weeks of his life -that being spent at the Legacy House. We wish to thank all those who took great care of dad at the Legacy House, Access Home and Hospice and the doctors. What a lovely job you all did, thank you!
With all of the blending of our mixed families dad is survived by his loving wife Donnetta, a special Aunt Betty Haslam, son Stuart (TressAnn) Krukiewicz of Lehi and daughter Hilary (Dean) Kerr of Wellsville as well as Donnetta’s children, totaling 8 children. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. His first wife, Joan and his two sons preceded him in death.
To Donnetta ~ you have been an angel to dad. Without your loving care and patience, he would not have had such a great 19 years, especially the last 3 years, thank you. We love you!
Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, December 3, at the Wellsville 5th ward house, 700 South 100 West. There will be a viewing from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at the Allen Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center, Logan and again from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church Thursday prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Wellsville City Cemetery with Military Honors. In Lieu of flowers the family asks that you please donate to the Disabled American Vets (DAV) on line memorial. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed online at http://www.allenmortuaries.net/ .