Beth Ellen (Lavy) Keihl

Beth Ellen (Lavy) Keihl, 86, of Versailles, Ohio, passed away on Friday, July 26, 2024, after a period of failing health. She was born July 6, 1938, in Covington, Ohio to the late Ralph Emerson Lavy and Lenora Mae (Stevenson) Lavy. Beth was married to the late Edward C. Keihl for thirty-two years.

Beth spent much of her life caring for others. She raised seven children, and in her retirement she could usually be found with one or more grandchildren (or great-grandchildren) in tow. Her grandchildren will remember fondly that she was always willing to sit on the floor to play with them, even when her advanced years made getting back up a chore. She also always kept a full basket of candy on her kitchen table for them, and always seemed to have a small trinket or toy in her bag that she had picked out specially for each child.

Beth had fond memories of her childhood in Covington, and of early jobs like being a telephone operator for 75 cents per hour or working in the office at Hobart. However, her most important job was as a school bus driver for the Versailles district. She spent twenty-eight years driving, and during her retirement former students would frequently stop her on the street to express thanks for the kindness she showed them as children. Beth was an active member of the Church of the Brethren in Bradford (now Common Ground Christian Church), where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, watched children in the nursery and was involved in the Women’s Fellowship organization. She volunteered at the Brethren Home in Greenville, where she also lived during her last months. She was an avid crocheter and crafter, and many family members, friends and even acquaintances have slippers and blankets she made specially for each person. She even crocheted slippers to be sent to children in Mexico.

Beth was a friend to many. Her door and her heart were always open to others, and she did not judge others for their failings. Beth enjoyed travel, including trips to Texas, Mexico, Key West and the Bahamas. One rite of passage for many of her grandchildren was to accompany Grandma Beth on one of her annual trips to see friends in Iowa. Although Beth did not meet her goal of visiting all fifty U.S. states during her lifetime, she lived a life filled with love, laughter and wonder, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Beth was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Roderick Lavy and her grandchildren David Potter, Jordanna Keihl, Erin Keihl and Matthew Huelskamp.

Beth is survived by her children Lisa (Gary) Poeppelman, Dwight Keihl, Lori (Melvin) Potter, Gayle (Al) Manning, Rex (fiancée Tawn Nahn) Keihl, Julie (Jim) Arling and Jon (Laura) Keihl and her sisters Kathy Cotrell and Vickie Troyer and sister-in-law Sherry Lavy. She is also survived by her grandchildren Ben Poeppelman, Dana Poeppelman, Kelley Poeppelman, Andy Poeppelman, Sam Poeppelman, Gwen Keihl, Gretchen Devries, Tracy Brewer, Racheal Potter, Jessie Schroen, Justin Bergman, Philip Bergman, Cory Bergman, Allyson Manning, Ryan Manning, Amber Pollock, James Keihl, Steven Keihl, Jenny DeMange, Jacqueline Turk, Janell Feitshans, Louden Keihl, Brayden Keihl and Kendall Keihl, and their partners, as well as by thirty-one great-grandchildren.

The family will be receiving guests at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles, Ohio on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from noon to 2 pm, followed by a graveside service at Harris Creek Cemetery in Bradford, Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brethren Retirement Community, Greenville, Ohio. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.