Merilyn Vere (Shafer) Keithley, 84, of Falls City was born February 5th, 1934 to John and Vere (Hoover) Shafer in Shubert, Nebraska. She attended McCandless grade school and 8th grade at Shubert public school.  Merilyn graduated from Nemaha High School and then attended one year at Peru State College.  On June 21, 1952, Merilyn was united in marriage to Lowell Keithley at St. Anne’s Church in Shubert. To this union six children, Ann, Jon, Frances, Jeffrey, Joseph and Jerome were born.  The couple lived on the family farm 7 miles northwest of Falls City their entire married life.  Merilyn was a homemaker and active in the daily farming operation.  She was an active 40-year member of the Hilltop Homemakers Extension Club until it was dissolved and participated in 4-H activities with her family.  Merilyn is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City and a strong supporter of Sacred Heart Schools. 

Merilyn passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at Jonesboro Assisted Living in Falls City having reached the age of eighty-four years, nine months, and one day.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lowell, youngest son Jerome, sisters La Verne (Bob) Mayfield and Elaine (AJ) Holdorf, sister-in-law Fern Huber and brother-in-law Leon (Julia) Keithley.

Merilyn is survived by her children: Ann (Brad) Albu of Falls City, Jon (Kathy) Keithley of Falls City, Frances (Edward) Finn of Omaha, Jeffrey (Denise) Keithley of Verdon, Joseph (Tiffany) Keithley of Falls City, daughter-in-law Michelle Keithley of Falls City, 27 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law John Huber of Falls City, and many other family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, November 12, 2018 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City, Nebraska with Fr. Thomas Dunavan officiating. 

Visitation will be from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 10 and noon-5:00 pm on Sunday, November 11 at the Hall Funeral Home, 2403 Harlan Street in Falls City.  

A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 11 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City. Family will greet friends following the rosary on Sunday, November 11 at the church. 

Interment will be at St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery in Shubert, Nebraska.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions are suggested to Falls City Sacred Heart School in care of the funeral home. 

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net

Services entrusted to Hall Funeral Home-2403 Harlan ST.-Falls City, NE (402) 245-3131