R. Keith Gilliland of Holton, KS, came to rest in the arms of his loving Savior on March 25, 2025.

Keith was born on April 8, 1936, in Holton, KS, the son of Roy Albert and Stella Tutt Gilliland. He grew up on the family dairy farm 7 miles north of Holton. Handsome, charismatic and unassuming, Keith was elected president of his senior class, graduating from Holton High School in 1954.

He began working at Goodyear in Topeka where he met the love of his life, Connie Cline. They married on August 4, 1956 and moved back to Holton where he ran the local Standard Oil service station. Standard Oil promoted Keith to a marketing and sales representative for Iowa where the family moved, first to Atlantic and then to Adair, where he operated one of the largest service stations on I-80. In 1978, the family moved back to Holton. Keith worked at Kansas State Bank in Holton for 20 years before retiring as Senior Vice President and serving on the board of directors.

Keith was a 35-year member of the Holton Lions Club, holding several offices. He was a member of the Evangel Methodist Church where he had served as treasurer and on the board of trustees. He also served on Jackson County Development, Inc. and the Holton Chamber of Commerce. He really enjoyed playing golf and was an active member of the Holton Country Club where he had many friends. In 2007, Keith was voted outstanding Holton High School Alumnus for his lifetime of involvement and contributions to the community.

The hobby Keith enjoyed most was singing, which came as a natural born talent without any formal training. While in high school he practiced singing in the family dairy barn, and also sang in church and in high school musicals. In 1957 he entered a televised talent show contest aired from Kansas City and won first place, earning him the $10,000 grand prize package consisting of a 1957 Studebaker Silver Hawk automobile and a handful of other prizes. Keith performed in community musicals and sang at many special events for churches, weddings, funerals and nursing homes in Holton, Topeka and in Iowa.

Keith's wife, family and faith were the most important things to him in life. He was proceeded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth. He is survived by his wife Connie, son Bradley (Michele) Gilliland of Pleasant Hill, MO, daughter Joni (Dennis) White of Holton, son Jeffery (Peggy) Gilliland of Leavenworth, and sister-in-law Lydia, as well as 8 grandchildren: Joshua (Julie Gilliland, Nanci (Jacob) Kennedy, Joni Wardosky, Ragen (Byron) Dennis, Josiah (Audrey) Gilliland, Daniel Gilliland, Jenna (Austin) Manchion, and Kennedy (Cassidy) White, and 18 great grandchildren with another due in June.

Family will greet friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 31, 2025, at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Holton Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Holton High School Vocal Music Department and sent to Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.