Keith Burgess
October 27th, 1936 - April 1st, 2025
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Keith's Obituary
Keith Burgess, born on October 27, 1936, in Inkster, Michigan, to proud parents Geoffrey and Julia (Byerly) Burgess, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 1st, 2025.
He graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1955, where he made lifelong memories. On October 18, 1958, he married the love of his life, JoAnn Naylor, in Benton Harbor, and together they built a beautiful life full of love and laughter.
Keith worked diligently for many years as a truck driver for Producers Creamery, embodying hard work and dedication. Outside of his profession, Keith found immense joy in being a devoted husband, a caring father, and an adoring grandfather. He treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren, often found on the sidelines of their sporting events, camera in hand, capturing the essence of life’s most cherished moments.
Keith's life was anchored in his unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived as a shining example of love and grace, leaving behind a legacy of faith that inspires all who knew him.
He was an active member of a local bowling league for many years, Keith found camaraderie and fun in the lanes. He also relished simple pleasures, from taking long walks and traveling to exploring family ancestry and visiting the Berrien County Youth Fair. Keith truly embodied the spirit of Christmas and shared his love for the season with everyone around him. A jack-of-all-trades, he had the remarkable ability to fix anything and even had the accomplishment of building his own home.
Keith's legacy will live on through the love and joy he shared with his family and friends. His memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to treasure life’s moments and embrace every opportunity to share love and kindness.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Caring Circle for their hospice care and support at home, and to Ernest and Hasina for their heartfelt commitment to caring for both JoAnn and Keith in their time of need.
Keith is survived by his wife JoAnn Burgess; daughters Juliane (Jeff Robinson) Burgess, Cathlene Burgess, Teresa (Tony) Phillips and Lynda (Kevin) Burgess-Smith; grandchildren Eric (Karen Dickey) Burgess; Tiffany (Eric Skinner) Schlipp; Hillary (Brian) Edgerly, Hailey (Daniel) Robson, Devin Cromer, Anthony (Amanda) Phillips, Whitney Phillips, and Kyle (Kay Summers) Smith; great grandchildren Annabelle, Milah, Oliver, Ethan, Aidan, Logan, Raevyn, Kaden, Letti, Max, Adelaide, Brayden, Lily and a great grandson expected in May; brothers Doug (Tess) Burgess and Dennis (Twyla) Burgess; many nieces and nephews and companion dog “Doggy”.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, son Patrick Burgess; and grandson Joshua Burgess.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made St. Bernard Catholic Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Keith online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
He graduated from Berrien Springs High School in 1955, where he made lifelong memories. On October 18, 1958, he married the love of his life, JoAnn Naylor, in Benton Harbor, and together they built a beautiful life full of love and laughter.
Keith worked diligently for many years as a truck driver for Producers Creamery, embodying hard work and dedication. Outside of his profession, Keith found immense joy in being a devoted husband, a caring father, and an adoring grandfather. He treasured every moment spent with his grandchildren, often found on the sidelines of their sporting events, camera in hand, capturing the essence of life’s most cherished moments.
Keith's life was anchored in his unwavering faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived as a shining example of love and grace, leaving behind a legacy of faith that inspires all who knew him.
He was an active member of a local bowling league for many years, Keith found camaraderie and fun in the lanes. He also relished simple pleasures, from taking long walks and traveling to exploring family ancestry and visiting the Berrien County Youth Fair. Keith truly embodied the spirit of Christmas and shared his love for the season with everyone around him. A jack-of-all-trades, he had the remarkable ability to fix anything and even had the accomplishment of building his own home.
Keith's legacy will live on through the love and joy he shared with his family and friends. His memory will continue to inspire all who knew him to treasure life’s moments and embrace every opportunity to share love and kindness.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to Caring Circle for their hospice care and support at home, and to Ernest and Hasina for their heartfelt commitment to caring for both JoAnn and Keith in their time of need.
Keith is survived by his wife JoAnn Burgess; daughters Juliane (Jeff Robinson) Burgess, Cathlene Burgess, Teresa (Tony) Phillips and Lynda (Kevin) Burgess-Smith; grandchildren Eric (Karen Dickey) Burgess; Tiffany (Eric Skinner) Schlipp; Hillary (Brian) Edgerly, Hailey (Daniel) Robson, Devin Cromer, Anthony (Amanda) Phillips, Whitney Phillips, and Kyle (Kay Summers) Smith; great grandchildren Annabelle, Milah, Oliver, Ethan, Aidan, Logan, Raevyn, Kaden, Letti, Max, Adelaide, Brayden, Lily and a great grandson expected in May; brothers Doug (Tess) Burgess and Dennis (Twyla) Burgess; many nieces and nephews and companion dog “Doggy”.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents, son Patrick Burgess; and grandson Joshua Burgess.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 555 E Delaware Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M., Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made St. Bernard Catholic Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Keith online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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