 Georgia and family , please except my deepest sympathy during these difficult times, your in my thoughts and prayers.     Guy

Thank you to all those that took the time to express your sympathies. Dad will be missed. Steve and I did the eulogy and below is the written text of what I said at the service:

I would like to thank all of you for coming to pay your respects to Dad. We really appreciate the tremendous amount of support and love all of you have given to Mom and Dad thru his last days. Dad was not a guy who liked to talk about himself and mostly shied away from attention. He was a very modest person and bragging or just talking about himself was not in his nature but Steve and I would just like to say a few words about the man we knew and loved.

I know most of you know what a great person Dad was but I would be remiss not to tell you -- family, friends, co-workers and golfing buddies what a great father he was and how he impacted my life and maybe share a few stories of his.

I respected and admired him so much. He came from a humble upbringing in the hills of West Virginia. His love of nature was rooted there and he always spoke fondly of his childhood. Dad, himself lost his father at the age of 8 and I believe that was the reason Dad became so self-sufficient and fiercely independent. 

He always referred to himself with a certain amount of pride as a “dumb hillbilly from West Virginia” but Dad was no dummy. School never interested him and probably in part due to a story his brother, Walt, told us. Dad and his two older brothers and sisters went to the same one-room schoolhouse in West Virginia. One day before Dad even was old enough to go to school, they had a bring-your-younger-sibling-to-school day; so off he went. Apparently, Dad was a bit mischievous in his youth and got into trouble with the teacher. The teacher proceeded to paddle Dad in front of the entire class and as he began crying out, all of his brothers and sisters started crying as well. Needless to say, Dad's first impression of school was not pleasant.

It wasn't long before Dad was going to school himself but his older brothers always chuckled a bit when they saw him carrying his fishing pole as he set off on foot to go to school. Well, Dad figured fishing was more fun than school so he played hooky quite often to fish in the creeks.

Even though school was not for him, he always stressed its importance to Steve and I. I always tried my best in school because I knew that it was important to my Dad and it made him proud to have his sons excel at something that he did not. He always strived for us to have a better life than he had.

He was the wisest man I have ever known. I always told Dad that “yeah, Steve and I have college educations (thanks to you) but look at all the skills that you have that we don't”.  He was an excellent carpenter (built our house in Greenfield from the ground up), made a good bit of the furniture in our home, was an excellent mechanic, an accomplished gardener and could fix just about anything.

Dad met the love of his life in high school, my Mom, and was married shortly after dropping out of high school. They started a family and Dad began his career at Chrysler. I don't think Dad ever called in sick in all his days at Chrysler even though the job wore on him. The plant was dirty, noisy, hot, and the work monotonous. Yes, it got to him at times but Dad did what he had to do to support his family and for that selflessness; I don't have the words to express how much that means to me. 

There were some tight times early on but he knew how stretch a dollar. He also knew some basic economic theory such as supply and demand. He demanded cheap labor and Steve and I supplied it. Dad always told us it would build character and put hair on your chest. He was right.

Steve and I were young when we moved from Indianapolis to Greenfield. Dad recalled this time in his life with great fondness and told me on many occasions that it was the best time in his life. Surrounded by neighbors with young families including his step-brother Ed and his wife Lynn, Mom and Dad quickly made friends and many of those relationships they still maintain today. This was a time when we would go on camping and canoeing trips as a family, play cards, and have neighborhood wienie roasts. Dad would take me and Steve fishing and try to impart some of his vast knowledge about trees, birds and other wildlife. My passion for fishing was borne from the many times that Dad and I fished together and every time I wet a line, I'll always remember all the great times I had fishing with Dad.

After the closing of the Indianapolis Chrysler plant, Mom and Dad packed up and moved down here. It was tough for Dad to leave Greenfield and all their close friends that they had – Steve and I stayed back to finish up school. Fortunately, for Dad he found a new family down here and that was his co-workers who introduced him to the game of golf. Dad loved the game, but mostly he loved being around his friends reminiscing a bit, telling stories, making a jab or two at each other and laughing. He also cherished being able spend more time with his older brother, Walt.

Dad had many great accomplishments but one of his proudest was that both his sons got a college education. He had so many fine attributes and values; he was honest, hard-working, considerate, and his family was the most important thing in his life.

I'll remember Dad sitting on the back patio early in the morning drinking his coffee, working in his garden, the smell of his Old Spice cologne, his hearty laugh, his big smile, the way he doted on his grandchildren. I'll remember Dad whenever I go to the beach, admire a tree, or listen to a song bird. I'll remember all the great times we shared and I only hope my own children are able to look back on their Dad as lovingly as I do on mine.

Daniel Alton Keaton 3/7/45-10/17/12
Dad's Eulogy 10/22/12 by Steve Keaton

Thank you all for coming to be with us and supporting us in this difficult moment of time.  It's obvious that Dad touched many lives.  He held a special place in many hearts, and left this world much better for having been in it.

Dad was a devoted and loving father, husband, grandfather, brother, golf buddy, neighbor and friend.  He was very respectful, honest, and helpful for those in need.  
Perhaps his greatest love, aside from his family and friends, was his immense connection with nature.  He could always identify numerous birds by their color or the song they sang.  His joys in life included fishing, camping, canoeing, golfing and most of all, being a grandfather.  Grandpa always enjoyed playing Rockband with the boys.  He was quite the lead guitarist. 

Dad's love for nature started at a young age.  
Childhood Story: Walt, Dad's older brother, told a story of when Dad was a kid, approximately 5 yrs old.  He was out playing with his brother and sister, Walt and Ella Mae.  Well, Walt and Ella Mae discovered a beehive.  I'm sure you can imagine what happened next.
Walt and Ella Mae started running by the hive while jabbing a stick at it, taking turns and each time jabbing the hive a little harder than the last.  It was a game of dare.  
Boone, Dad's nickname as a kid, was a bit small for his age but was always willing to demonstrate his toughness.   Well, he decided to make his run at the hive.  He ran up to the beehive and started beating the hive with the stick.  He missed the running part of the game.  
At this time the bees came out after them with a fury.  Ella and Walt took off running leaving Boone behind to fend for himself.  He quickly learned that nature is not always so gentle.

Dad taught me many things not so much by the words he spoke but by the actions he took.  Dad had many accomplishments, including the 32 years he worked @ Chrysler.  During that time, he designed and built a fiber glass boat.  Soon thereafter, he designed and built a house on his own.  

When building the house in Greenfield, Dad always included me in the work to be done for the day.  He showed me how to use a hammer when framing the house or laying shingles on the roof, pouring concrete, how to spackle drywall when putting the drywall in place, how to plumb, layout a kitchen.  At the time, I thought Dad was being a Father teaching a son the skills that may become handy in life. 

What I realize today is that Dad was being more than that; he was a Mentor/Hero, teaching me to become a man and eventually a father.  
It wasn't the skills I learned each day that I remember most during those times. But, the character he instilled in me, such as work ethic, how to face a challenge, to be courageous and fearless.  Oh, and the 4 tons of rocks Doug and I picked by hand in the yard.  
Manage that what you can and have peace with the mistakes you make.  He was a great father to me, although he lost his father, Brady, at a very young age of eight.

One of Dad's favorite Stories: When Doug and I were kids, approximately 8 and 10 yrs old.  We were living in Indy on Beville Street.  The houses were close together and we were close to many of the neighborhood kids.  As usual we were hanging out in the narrow alley with the neighbor hood kids, roughly a dozen of us, playing and riding our bikes.  
Not sure how it started, but someone threw a rock and the next thing we knew there were a dozen kids throwing rocks at each other.  I threw a rock and hit Sammy, the young boy that lived across us behind the house.  I grazed his head and he started to bleed.  
Frita, Sammy's mom, came running out screaming.  She brought Sammy to our house and proceeded to tell Dad that Doug had thrown a rock and hit Sammy.  
Well I knew I had thrown the rock.  One thing Dad taught me was to be honest and tell the truth.  
So, I started to stammer as I told everyone that I had thrown the rock that hit Sammy.  Of course it was very hectic as Sammy was crying and Frita demanded frontier justice.  As I told Dad that I had thrown the rock, Dad told me to be quiet.  
Dad then proceeded to interrogate Doug for answers.  Of course Doug was upset and confused.  Once again, I tried to tell Dad that I had thrown the rock.  Dad said “Boy, I'll whip you for lying”.  I then gave Doug a look as to say “thanks for taking one for the big brother”.  
It was a moment in time in which Dad taught me a very important lesson, self preservation.  Of course later we told him the truth and he always enjoyed this story.

Dad was always there for me, showing me by his living example what it were like to be a father and a husband, that it was possible for a man to show love by spending quality time with Doug and me, and to be a loving husband. He was selfless with us all. 

It is impossible to speak of my father without also speaking of my mother, because they were one. Together, they showed me what true love was like, taught me what a marriage should be. Dad loved us all more than he loved himself. When it became too hard for him to live on, the pain that was the greatest for him was never his own, but rather the pain that he saw in us. 
This was yet another example of his selflessness.  To the end Dad is still teaching me another one of life's lessons.

He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us.  We can take peace in that he is in a better place now.  

I hope that one day, when I move on; my boys can look back, tell funny stories about me, and talk about how I loved them and their mother.  Then, like my father, I will have led a complete life.  

Thank You all for your support and God Bless.  Please join us in celebrating Dad's life and feel free to share your stories.

With Love,

Aunt Georgia,Steve and Doug, You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of loss. This has been a hard year for our family. Please reflect on the good memories and remember that family is Uncle Dan's living legacy.

We were so saddened to hear of your loss. You are all in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Georgia,
 So sorry for the loss of Uncle Daniel. It has been a difficult year for all of our families. My deepest sympathy.
Love you all.
Clark

Aunt Georgia, Steve, Doug, and others,

I'm writing on behalf of Alan and Jeff Muse and Sue Burkhart Muse, scattered as we are many miles north of you. I'm sorry we can't be there to express our condolences in person, but please know we're thinking of you during this time of loss.

Know, too, that I've got a warm feeling in my heart, having looked at all the photos of Uncle Danny. Indeed, "Uncle Danny" is exactly what comes to mind -- his deep voice, his drawl, his thick hands, the way he always made me feel so welcome at the house he built in Mohawk, Indiana, where Doug and I once got locked in the trunk of Dad's Impala. Remember that? I sure do. A long night. A good laugh.

And it was good to see Dad in those photos, too. I suppose he and Danny are fishing right about now. Dad always talked about northern Alabama like it was some kind of mythical, laid-back, fishing-pole-always-in-his-hand destination, where he would retire some day and go gray. I sure hope it was that kind of life for Danny down there, and for you, Aunt Georgia. Well, not the gray part. I only think of you with golden hair, and ever warm and big-hearted.

I'm sorry Danny's gone, but I'm pleased to know he'll be celebrated. I hope these words can contribute to the good will. I certainly recall how all of you comforted us during Dad's passing. There's not much I can say but walk through it. Grieve and love and laugh. Danny leaves behind a wonderful legacy, I'm sure -- as a dad, a grandfather, and a husband, and as my uncle, even though I haven't seen you all in many years. Time flies, as they say, but the heart remembers. Mine does. And Danny will always have his place.

We'll be in touch. Love you all. Take care.

Jeff

525 Sand Lake Road
Onalaska, WI 54650
360-391-4457 (cell)
hoosiermuse@gmail.com
www.hoosiermuse.com

Georgia, Steve and Doug,
I am thinking of you during this very difficult time.  May you always remember all the good memories and good times. I wish I could get down there for the service on Monday.  Please know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  
Much love to you all,
Tina

OBITUARY

Daniel Keaton

March 7, 1945 – October 17, 2012

McConnell Funeral Home

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