Keith Duane Beardmore

Keith D. Beardmore Keith Duane Beardmore, age 89, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2012, at Morningside Center, Chillicothe, Missouri. Keith was born on June 5, 1923 in Glasco, Kansas, to Roy and Bessie (Young) Beardmore. Keith graduated from Glasco High, Glasco, Kansas, in 1941. He then attended Hays Kansas State College. He was united in marriage to Geraldine "Jeri" Drey in Topeka, Kansas, on April 26, 1945. She preceded him in death on March 18, 1999. On April 11, 2009, he was united in marriage to Millie Moore at the First Christian Church in Chillicothe, Missouri. She survives of the home. He entered military service on December 10, 1942, and transferred to the Army Air Force in June 1943. He was released from active duty on October 20, 1945, transferred to the Army reserve and accepted a commission in the Missouri Army National Guard on active reserve duty until February 15, 1967, then transferred to the USAR(Retired). Total service to time of transfer to the retired reserve was 33 years, 2 months and 2 days. Keith was employed by Chillicothe Municipal Utilities right after transfer to the USAR as an operator and maintenance engineer and later served as Chief engineer from 1954-1965, Electric Systems Superintendent from 1965-1966 and then General Manager from 1966-1985. He remained on as a consultant until 1993. He also worked for Cooke Sales and Service and Beardmore Radio and Television. Keith was a member of the First Christian Disciples of Christ Church in Chillicothe, Missouri. He was a past Elder and served as Chairman of the Board and President of the Congregation in 1967-1969. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion.He was very active in the Rotary Club from May of 1936 to March of 1998, where he served as president in 1967-1968, Governor Representative from 1969-1971, he was Rotarian of the Year in 1972 and the District Conference Chairman in 1972. He was a Charter member of the Sons of the American Revolution-Chillicothe Lewis and Clark Expedition Chapter. Keith served on the Chillicothe Industrial Development Corporation board from 1966-1972 and he was a member of the Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce from 1967-1985. He was a decorated member of several professional organizations including Missouri Municipal League, North Central Missouri Municipal League, Missouri Association of Municipal Utilities, American Water Works Association, American Public Works Association, Commission for Municipal Pooling Services, Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utilities Commission, American Public Power Association, and Consumers Electric Power Association. Throughout his career, he received several Distinguished Service Awards and various other accolades, including the Distinguished Service First Robert Posch-Constitution Tribune Award in 1985 Survivors include his wife, Millie, of Chillicothe, Missouri; son Douglas Keith Beardmore of Independence, Missouri; daughter Charmaine (Char) Kaye Merrifield and husband Ed of Kansas City, Missouri; stepsons James Moore of Columbia, Missouri and David Moore of Chillicothe, Missouri; and grandchildren Desiree Beardmore and Kaitlin Beardmore. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Jeri Beardmore; brother Neil Beardmore; and sister Rosalie Nelson. Funeral services will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Monday, July 9, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. There is no scheduled family visitation. Friends may call Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri,on Sunday, July 8, 2012,from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe First Christian Church or to St. Luke's Hospice, and can be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, PO Box 47, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.