Keith Colvin, age 78 of Indiana, passed into eternal life on Thursday, January 11, 2018, with his family by his side after a long fought battle with prostate cancer.
He was born in 1939 in Charleroi to Harold F. and A. Grace Cooper Colvin.
After graduation from the Charleroi Area High School, Keith spent time in the Army Reserves and went on to graduate from the National Hardwood Lumber School in Memphis, TN.
He began his career in Kittanning with the D B Frampton Lumber Co. Later, he had a deep desire to change careers and devote his life to serving others. With the help of his minister at the time, he began working in vocational rehabilitation and started a Workshop serving adults with mental disabilities in Washington, PA. In 1972, he was called to Indiana and developed the Indiana County Workshop later known as ICW Vocational Services. He was Executive Director there for 30 years retiring in 2002.
In retirement, nothing made him happier than serving older adults at the YMCA giving orientations and teaching them to use the exercise equipment. He loved it there and worked until his illness progressed making it impossible to be there.
Keith is survived by his wife and soul-mate of 53 years, Phyllis A. Parsons Colvin.
He was completely devoted to his family and was so happy doing things with them.
His three children – Kerri Colvin Ballas, Keith Richard Colvin, and Christopher Alan Colvin and wife Rose also survive him. He was so proud of his four grandchildren – Blair, Connor, Emily, and Holly.
He was a member of the Calvary Presbyterian Church. He served as deacon and elder at the Graystone Presbyterian Church to which he belonged for many years. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. Keith loved hunting with his sons, exercising at the “Y”, reading biographies and sports, watching Penguin Hockey, and traveling to so many beautiful places with Phyllis.
The family extends their deepest appreciation to the VNA Hospice of Indiana for their tender loving care making it possible for Keith to remain at home for the duration of his Illness.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 19 from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Bowser-Minich Funeral Home, Indiana.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 A.M. at the Calvary Presbyterian church, Indiana, with the Reverend David Hanna officiating, followed by a reception after the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to ICW Vocational Services, 155 North 10th Street, Indiana, PA; or the Indiana YMCA, 60 Ben Franklin Road North, Indiana.
