Clayton H. Keith, 81

NEWARK - Clayton H. Keith, of Newark, passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at Union Hospital. He was 81.

A lifelong resident of Newark, he was born on July 28, 1926, the son of the late Charles and Helen Haynes Keith.

For over 50 years, Clayton worked in the trucking industry, retiring from the Guardian Co. in 1993.

He was a member of Masonic Lodge Hiram 25 in Newark and a 40-year member of the Newark Chapter 10 Order of the Eastern Star, where he was Worthy Patron of the chapter for 21 times.

Clayton was Past Grand Patron of the Delaware Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star from 1981-82 and acting Patron of Robert Fulton Chapter 446 in Quarryville, Pa., from 2000-03, he was a committee member of the General Grand Chapter and the Scottish Rite Charities Committee.

He was also a life member of VFW Post 475 and a member of National Camping Travelers.

A devoted family man, Clayton enjoyed camping, fishing and the outdoors and was always accompanied by one or two of his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles.

Clayton is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margaret Stewart Keith; a son, Charles Russell Keith and his wife Barbara of Newark; two grandchildren, Charles R. Keith Jr. and Adam Wesley Keith of Newark; a great-grandson, Aydan James Keith; and a sister, Jean Keith Derrickson and her husband Jim of Wilmington.

An Eastern Star Service will be 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in R.T. Foard & Jones Funeral Home, 122 W. Main St., Newark, followed by a celebration of his life. Friends and family may call at the funeral home beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Burial will be private at a later date.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the OES Cancer Fund c/o the funeral home.