Keith Leroy Sheel

Keith was born in Kansas City, Missouri March 10. 1932. He was the first born of Frank and Wilma Sheel and had five siblings. He originally lived in Kansas City, Missouri then La Junta, Colorado until he joined the Air Force in 1951. After boot training in Texas, Keith was stationed at Lowrey Air Force Base in Denver, where he met Maxine roller skating. When Keith got orders to be stationed in San Antonio, Texas he went to Kansas City to see family then a surprise visit back to Denver. Keith said those magic words to Maxine, and they became engaged.

Keith was stationed at several bases here in the states before he was sent to Kadina Air Force Base on Okinawa. The Air Force Academy was starting and anyone from the service could apply. They just had to pass the test and the physical. Keith and his best friend Harold passed everything and planned to make a career in the Air Force, but he never told Maxine. Harold was killed in a B29 airplane crash when Keith was on his way back to the USA. Keith was very sad when he heard of the crash and did not go to the Academy. He had been concerned his fiancée would not wait another year. Keith and Maxine were married Nov. 14, 1955.

Keith was a true gentleman and a man of his word. He was kind, always smiling, very talented, generous, and patient. He was a life member in Littleton Gem & Mineral Club and The Gem and Mineral Guild. He was active and volunteered many hours to The Denver Gem and Mineral Show and the Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council and held office positions in both.

Keith was a true rockhound and loved nature. He dug many holes in the earth to find mineral specimens and material that he could make stones out of. He was a faceter, cabber, silver and gold smith. He has many friends who he taught and shared his talent with. It took patience but he loved sharing his knowledge & teaching others.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, L J, Kay, Glenn, one sister Pam Snyman one great-grandson, Uriah.

He is survived by three children; Norma-Scott Rust, Harold-Nancy Sheel and Michael Sheel, four granddaughters; Kendra (Harold), Kara, Nichole (Trevor) and Rachel, five great-grandchildren; Ailee, Gabriel, Lily, Addyson, Everleigh, and one sister; Patsy Fontenot of Compton, California.