Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Keister, Sr., Fred D. January 1936
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net May 7, 2010, 7:32 pm

The Ionia County News, Thursday, June 25, 1936
The high esteem in which Fred D. Keister, Sr., was held by his fellow 
publishers and associates was reflected in the tributes and condolences 
received by the family this week from prominent individuals throughout the 
commonwealth of Michigan.

The following tributes sent to Mrs. Keister and sons and daughter in their 
hour of bereavement were noteworthy:

The untimely passing of Fred D. Keister, Sr. is a great blow to Michigan’s 
newspaper fraternity.  Undoubtedly Mr. Keister exerted an influence upon his 
profession surpassed by none in this commonwealth.  His great kind heart 
always beat in sympathy for the underprivileged and the unfortunate.  His 
editorial service constantly breathed of hope and optimism.

During the dark days experienced during the past few years he kept the faith 
and encouraged multitudes to keep on fighting to preserve the principles that 
have made this nation great.  He was even generous in his political views and 
possessed a religious faith that heartened a host.  The newspaper boys and 
girls of Michigan as well as those of other states always enjoyed his 
delightful humor and his keen wit.

His fine family has lost a loving and indulgent father.  “Pa” Keister’s 
passing in a similar sense bereaves the whole newspaper crowd in Michigan—J. 
B. Haskins, Director Building and Loan Division, Department of State.

Mr. Keister entered the ranks of Michigan’s great during the first five years 
of the News’ existence.  His unusual sense of humor and keen sympathy for 
human misfortune marked him an outstanding success as a newspaper editor.

His first column printed in the News—“The Single Top Trail” was soon widely 
read throughout the state, because he possessed a style of writing that was 
peculiarly his own.  His humorous and serious writings were widely enjoyed and 
quoted.

A few years ago, Mr. Keister created “The Village Lamplighter” column which 
enjoyed equal fame.  He was a prolific writer and conducted a newspaper column 
service that was syndicated to 350 newspapers and publications in Michigan.

Mr. Keister took an active part in civic and political affairs, although he 
sought but one elective office.  This post as justice of the peace was gained 
in his youthful days in his native village of Pewamo.

In 9101 he was appointed postmaster of Pewamo when he was but 24 years of age 
and was one of the youngest postmasters in the nation at that time.

Mr. Keister was a loyal Republican and carried the standard of that major 
political party through many vigorous campaigns.  

He was active in the campaigns of Former Governor Fred W. Green.  During the 
Green administration, Mr. Keister was employed n the publicity bureau of the 
State Conservation Department.

He also served on a commission chosen by Former Governor William A. Comstock 
to draft the present state liquor control law.  

At the time of his death, he was active in the Public Relations Department of 
the State Liquor Control Commission.

Deeply interested in Michigan journalistic circles, Mr. Keister was at one 
time president of the Michigan Press Association and had just returned from 
the Annual Summer Meeting of the group at St. Joseph when he was stricken with 
heart trouble.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Ionia and the Country Club.  He had also 
been a member of the Luoullus Lodge--Knights of Pythias and the Elks Lodge No. 
548.

Surviving him are his widow, two sons, Fred D. Keister, Jr., Ionia, and 
Clemence B. Keister, of Royal Oak; one daughter Mrs. Thelma Keister Cox, 
Richmond, Indiana; one brother, David P. Keister, Grand Rapids, three sisters, 
Mrs. George Miller, Ionia; Mrs. Stella Trask, Jacksonville, Illinois, and Mrs. 
E. P. Bradstrum, Sparta, and four grandchildren, Fred D. Keister, III, Ionia; 
Carol Marcelene, Candace Mary and David Keister Cox, all of Richmond, Indiana.

The following state officials attended the funeral services for Fred D. 
Keister, Sr., Wednesday afternoon.  Governor Frank D. Fitzgerald, Lansing; 
Hon. Fred L. Crawford, Eighth District Congressman, Saginaw; Hon. Howard C. 
Lawrence, State Banking Commissioner, Lansing; Hon. James B. Haskins, Director 
Building and Loan Division, Department of State; State Senator Don Vanderwerp, 
Fremont; State Representative Vern Brown, Mason, and the Hon. John W. 
Blodgett, Grand Rapids.



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