Keith Bailey

Passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence on June 22, 2018. Keith DuWayne Bailey was born December 3, 1926 to Alberta Love in Jackson, MI. He was named Jack Love. He was adopted by R.D. and Agnes Bailey when he was six weeks old. He was drafted into the army during his senior year at East Jackson High School. He served two years with occupation forces in Japan, returning to finish High School and Junior College in Jackson. Keith attended WMU on the GI Bill and graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees, with a major in art, with the loving tutelage of Harry Hefner. He taught elementary art in the Vicksburg and Parchment Schools and also taught art in WMU's Campus School until it was closed. He then joined the education department at WMU supervising student teachers throughout the state until he retired in 1989. Keith married Patsy Sibson of Parchment on June 9, 1956 who survives. They were happily married for 62 years. Keith and Pat have three daughters, Dana (Tom) Smith of Lawton, Beth (Mark) Koenig of Portage and Sara (Mike) Simonds of Allegan. They have 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Keith was active at both Parchment United Methodist Church and Westwood UMC. He served as a driver and on the Board for Shepard's Center of Kalamazoo. Keith was a member of NEA/MEA, Phi Delta Kappa, Association of Teacher Educators, and Kalamazoo Association of Retired School Personnel. "I've been blessed with having some excellent role models, my mother-in-law, Margaret Sibson tops the list. Thank God for the GI Bill that paid for my college education. Now after 51 years of married life, I count myself a very fortunate man: a loving wife and surrounded by 3 lovely daughters and 10 grandchildren. God is good!" - Keith D. Bailey - memories: written 12/2007 for my daughters. A memorial service will be held 2 o'clock Saturday, June 30th at the Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. Please visit Keith's personalized webpage for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com.