1929
Clarence
2016
Clarence J. “Kite/CJ” Keitel
November 20, 1929 — May 25, 2016
Clarence John “Kite”/CJ Keitel, 86 of St. Louis passed away peacefully on May 25, 2016. He will be lovingly missed by his family and all who knew him well.
CJ was a cherished only child born to Clarence A. and Lillian K. Keitel on November 29, 1929 in St. Louis. He graduated from Central High School in 1948 and married his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Evelyn Keitel, on August 25, 1951. He shipped out to Korea two weeks later where he served bravely for two years on the front lines as a forward observer.
When he returned to St. Louis, Kite and Ev built a wonderful life and family for their four children. He worked successfully in the insurance industry throughout his career. Kite and Ev both retired in 1995 and spent 15 fabulous years golfing, traveling, socializing, and grand parenting before facing declining health.
Kite is survived by his wife Evelyn; children Ken (Shirley), Clark (Bridget), Nancy (David) Williams, all of St. Louis, and Sharon of Columbia, MO; grandchildren Alexis Keitel and Vanessa (Robert) Benkert, Nathan and Emily Williams, and Claire and Henry Keitel; and great-grandchildren Evelyn and Wesley Benkert.
We will dearly miss the best man we have ever known – husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and gentleman.
CJ’s wishes were to be cremated, a family celebration of life dinner is planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Kite to American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
CJ was a cherished only child born to Clarence A. and Lillian K. Keitel on November 29, 1929 in St. Louis. He graduated from Central High School in 1948 and married his beloved wife of nearly 65 years, Evelyn Keitel, on August 25, 1951. He shipped out to Korea two weeks later where he served bravely for two years on the front lines as a forward observer.
When he returned to St. Louis, Kite and Ev built a wonderful life and family for their four children. He worked successfully in the insurance industry throughout his career. Kite and Ev both retired in 1995 and spent 15 fabulous years golfing, traveling, socializing, and grand parenting before facing declining health.
Kite is survived by his wife Evelyn; children Ken (Shirley), Clark (Bridget), Nancy (David) Williams, all of St. Louis, and Sharon of Columbia, MO; grandchildren Alexis Keitel and Vanessa (Robert) Benkert, Nathan and Emily Williams, and Claire and Henry Keitel; and great-grandchildren Evelyn and Wesley Benkert.
We will dearly miss the best man we have ever known – husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and gentleman.
CJ’s wishes were to be cremated, a family celebration of life dinner is planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Kite to American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clarence J. “Kite/CJ” Keitel, please visit our flower store.
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