Keith Emerson Farrell

Traverse City – Keith Emerson Farrell, 94, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2015, at Munson Hospice House, after a brief illness. He was born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1921 to Lee James and Mildred Howe (Auyer) Farrell in Charlevoix, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to Wexford, Michigan, where he grew up, working on his grandparents’ farm and at his father’s general store. He enjoyed music and dancing, and played the violin, saxophone and piano, often joining his mother in providing the music at the dance hall above their store. Keith attended school in Buckley, Michigan and graduated as salutatorian of his class in 1938. He went on to study electrical engineering at Michigan State College in East Lansing and worked at AC Spark Plug until December 7, 1941, when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. He proudly served his country in the Pacific Theater during WW II as a pilot, flight instructor and airplane commander until 1946, and remained in the reserves for over 20 years, retiring as Colonel. After the war ended, he returned to Saginaw, Michigan, where his family had relocated. On Halloween night in 1947, Keith and Lyla Lydia Voss eloped to Bowling Green, Ohio, and were married there on November 1. He began a lifelong career in sales in Saginaw, joining AAA Insurance in 1948. He was employed by AAA for 33 years, managing the offices in Traverse City, Flint and Midland, Michigan. After his retirement in 1981, Keith and Lyla retired to Traverse City, where they made their home together until her death in 1997, just short of their 50th wedding anniversary. Keith was an avid hunter, fisherman, gardener and reader, and an active longtime member of the Lions Club and Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served in many capacities. He volunteered his time at Munson Medical Center as a patient escort, accumulating over 5,000 volunteer hours. Besides his parents and wife, Keith was preceded in death by his brother, Lee. He is survived by his five children, Bruce (Terri) Farrell of Rockford, Michigan, Jone Farrell of Traverse City, Lori (Bill) Jurgens of Bay City, Michigan, and Lew (Kathy) Farrell and Kal (Karen) Farrell, both of Traverse City; five grandchildren, Mark Farrell, Lisa (Keegan) Myers, Lindsay Farrell, Erin Farrell and Chad Farrell, all of Traverse City; his great-grandson Tegan Farrell, of Traverse City; several nieces and nephews; and his step-granddaughter Kelli (Rick) Van Dyke and step-great-granddaughters Elizabeth Leigh and Alyxandra Newville, all of Grand Rapids, Michigan. A celebration of Keith’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 1, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Traverse City at 11:00 am, with the Reverend Robert Zagore officiating. Friends may visit from 10:00-11:00 am and are invited to a lunch immediately following the service. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens in Traverse City, with arrangements being made by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church of Traverse City or the Traverse City Lions Club. The family extends their thanks to the staff at Glen Eagle Retirement Community, Munson Medical Center and Munson Hospice House for their care and support.

Keith Emerson Farrell

March 27, 1921 - August 28, 2015