Keith Covey Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Keith passed away peacefully September 29, 2018 at the age of 87. Born May 22, 1931 to Wayne and Minnie (Onstank) Covey, Keith grew up on a farm south of Knoxville. He attended local country schools and graduated from high school in 1948. Following graduation he worked for a year at Maytag in Newton. Shortly after, Wayne and Minnie bought their first farm north of Columbia, Iowa. Keith quit his job and started farming and raising livestock. He loved being a farmer. In late 1951, Keith received a letter informing him that, “your friends and neighbors would like you to know that they want you to be drafted into the Army and fight in Korea.” He always said, “What kind of friends and neighbors are these?” He faithfully and patriotically served his country and was discharged in February of 1954. He said the weather was warm that year and he was able to get on the tractor and work the fields. Being an only child, his parents were greatly relieved he came home safe and sound. Keith was a hard worker. He was physically strong which helped him raise cattle and pigs. He’d help his mom with the chickens and also in the garden. He loved being a farmer and was proud to be one. Keith enjoyed playing cards. He and his buddies would meet every day at the Marion County Produce to play pitch. When the produce closed, he would got to the local Columbia Store and play pitch with his neighbors. Even though Keith was an only child, he had many, many cousins. He thoroughly enjoyed family get-togethers and visiting with his family and the holiday family meals. In 1998 he married Lesley. They lived in rural Marion County until his retirement in 2010. He came home one day in early August of that year and informed his wife that he had bought a house in Knoxville, and he was going to retire in November. It was all a surprise to her. After retiring and renting the farms to Jimmie Goff, he moved to Knoxville. He drove out to the farms every day. His 2010 Chevy pickup has 191,000 miles on it, most of which are miles within the county. On many of his miles traveled he had a constant, loyal companion with him, his faithful dog, Numbnutz. It was such a loving relationship, a man and his dog. Keith was warmly received in Heaven by his mother and father with loving hugs. He is survived by his wife, Lesley; children: Aubrey (Woody) Burress of Swan and their daughter, Kassadi and Aaron (Laura Archer) Hubler and sons, Keith Hutton and Blaise Hubler and many cousins. There will be a Celebration of Keith’s Life at the Cobblestone Inn, in Knoxville, on Wednesday, October 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to share and remember this kind, honest, gentle man. Keith did not want a funeral. A scattering of his ashes and of his dog, Numbnutz will be at a later date. Please no cards or flowers, any remembrance of Keith should be made to the Pleasantville FFA or to the Knoxville Booster Club.

Keith Covey

May 22, 1931 - September 29, 2018