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Clara L. Keister

Clara L. Keister, 77, of Columbia City, IN, and having family in Huntington, IN, died Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, at 3:59 p.m. at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

Mrs. Keister attended South Side High School. She and her husband made their home at Fort Lee, VA, and then the couple was stationed in France. After her husband's discharge, they moved to Loon Lake, Whitley County. In 2012, they moved to Columbia City. From 1977 to 1982, she worked for the Thorncreek Township School. For 13 years, the couple owned and operated Keister Service in Wolf Lake. She completed her work career with Dana Corp, Albion, as a production supervisor retiring in 2010 with 16 years of service.

She was born Feb. 25, 1942, in Fayette County, West Virginia, to Eri E. and Agnes E. Holliday Bickford. She married Laurel H. “Butch” Keister on Nov. 16, 1959, and he preceded her in death on Nov. 23, 2016.

She is survived by two daughters, Lisa (Dale) Gaff and Victoria Western, both of Columbia City; a son, Shane (Deanna) Keister, of Huntington; three brothers, Danny (Joan) Bickford, of Hazard, KY; Keith (Stacy) Bickford, of Cincinnati, OH; and Carl Bickford, of Monroeville; three sisters, Eydie (Terry) Stephenson and Drema Stephenson, both of Monroeville, and Evelyn (Robert) Lowe, of Fort Wayne; 10 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Calling is Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 207 N. Main St., Columbia City. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Thorn Cemetery, Ormas.

Memorials are to Leader Dogs for the Blind.