Howard “Keith” Childs, 90, of Charles City, passed away Monday, November 27, 2023 at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.
A funeral service for Keith Childs will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 1, 2023 at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City with Pastor Tim Robbins from Calvary Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Charles City.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home and continue one hour before the service at the funeral home on Friday.
Howard Keith Childs, the son of Howard Roger and Lucille Viola (Bergstrom) Childs, was born May 11, 1933 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was educated in New Hampton, Iowa graduating from New Hampton High School. After high school, Keith enlisted into the United States Navy and proudly served his country for four years. He was on the USS Sperry AS12 Submarine Tender and the USS Markab AD21 Destroyer Tender. Keith worked in the gauge and typewriter shops, and was honorably discharged on February 28, 1956 with the rank of IM2 (Instrumentman Second Class).
When Keith was home during leave he was united in marriage to Geraldine “Gerry” Schilling on November 15, 1952 in New Hampton. The couple was stationed in San Diego, California, Washington D.C. and New Port, Rhode Island. After his discharge, they made their home in New Hampton where Keith worked as a typewriter mechanic at Riley’s for eight years before moving to Charles City.
Keith and his dad started Childs Co. Ltd. which dealt in office machine sales and service along with office equipment. They owned and operated that business for 38 years. Keith also had a farm outside of Charles City that he helped maintain for 42 years.
Keith was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Charles City where he served as a Deacon, taught Sunday school and helped with children’s church. He enjoyed horses, fishing, hunting, boxing, wrestling (amateur not pro), painting and spending time with his family.
Living family members include his children: Marcy Bean, Wade (Cindy) Childs and Wylie (Diana) Childs all of Charles City; grandchildren: Wayland (Darla) Bean, Derrick (Cassie) Bean, Seth Bean, Elizabeth (Jake) Schaefer, Isaac Childs, Brittany Childs, Jared Childs, Brandon Childs, Anthony Childs, Ricardo Guzman and Oscar Guzman; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters: Pat Janssen of Arkansas, Peggy (Charlie) Lee of Illinois and Pam Davis of Minnesota; sister-in-law, Bel Childs of Texas; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Keith was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Geraldine “Gerry” Childs; and brother, Gary Childs.
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