Funeral services for Keith E. Poyser will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Dave Irwin officiating. Interment will be held following the services at the Orleans Cemetery with military honors provided by the Orleans Harold Morin American Legion Post #184 in conjunction with the U.S. Army Military Honors Team.
Keith Edgar Poyser, 86 years of age, of Orleans, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at his home in Orleans. Keith was born September 15, 1931, on the family farm south of Orleans in the Eldorado Township, the second of four children born to Oscar and Pauline (Park) Poyser. He received his primary education from the Springbrook District #26 School near their family farm, and graduated from Long Island High School at Long Island, Kansas with the class of 1948.
Following his education, Keith worked various jobs in construction. On December 28, 1952, he was united in marriage to Dolores Allen of Prairie View, Kansas, at the Christian Church in Phillipsburg, Kansas. To this union three children were born: Keanna, Debra, and Craig.
Keith honorably served his country during the Korean Conflict from March 17, 1953 to February 5, 1955. Following his discharge, Keith and Dolores returned to the Poyser family farm, where they lived until moving into Orleans in 1970. Keith was employed by J & H Grain, and then as manager of Scoular Grain. Later he became the custodian at the Orleans Schools until his retirement in 1994. Following retirement, Keith ran his own lawn service.
Keith was a past member of the Eldorado Township Board, the Springbrook District #26 School Board, Orleans Fire Department, Orleans Rotary, Orleans Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Stamford/Orleans Chamber of Commerce, and helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels. At the time of his passing, Keith was still an active member of the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184, Orleans Housing Authority, and the United Presbyterian Church in Orleans, where in the past he served as a Deacon.
Keith was also an active and dedicated member of Alcoholic Anonymous, and spent a great deal of time furthering the organization. This past year, he celebrated 40 years of sobriety. Keith also devoted his life to helping his family, and friends alike. He lived by the Serenity Prayer, “One Day at a Time.”
Keith was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lou Hopson and her husband, Harry; brothers-in-law: Arlan Butterfield, Ted Allen and his wife, Marilyn, and Max Allen.
Those left to cherish his life include his wife, Dolores Poyser of 65 years of Orleans; his three children: Keanna Leonard and her husband, Dennis of Grand Island, Nebraska, Debra Miller and her husband, Barry of Hays, Kansas, and Craig Poyser and his wife, Shirlee of Alma; six grandchildren: Briana Cudly and her husband, Brent; Michael Leonard and spouse, Anthony Santoyo; Brady Miller and his wife, Morgan; Brogan Miller; Kalyn Weers and her husband, Richard; and Ross Poyser and his wife, Jessetta; four great-grandchildren: Liliana and Keithen Cudly; Brynn and Burke Miller; one sister, Norma Butterfield of Kearney, Nebraska; one brother, Kenneth Poyser and his wife, Darlene of Manhattan, Kansas; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives; and many AA family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Orleans.
A memorial has been established in Keith’s honor, and kindly suggested to the Presbyterian Church in Orleans; the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184; or to the Melrose Chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Expressions of caring and kindness be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com.
The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.
She was born on Nov. 18, 1967 in Guymon, Oklahoma, the daughter of Troy S. and Carrie M. Abbott Marion. A resident of Scott County, Kansas, since 1988 moving from Colorado, she was a teacher at Scott City Elementary School for over 13 years.
