Rex O. Keiser

Rex Owen Keiser, 86, of Huntsville, Alabama, peacefully went to be with Jesus, his wife and family by his side, on Monday, November 9, 2020, at Crestwood Medical Center.

Born on November 1, 1934, in Huntington, Indiana, he was the second son of Owen Keiser and Ione (Gable) Fordyce.

Rex was a 1953 graduate of Union Center High School, in Huntington county Indiana, where he played basketball. Rex met Nancy S. Hosler during a hayride which proved to both of them they were meant to be together. Then on August 22, 1954, at the St. Peter Evangelical & Reformed Church in Huntington, Rex and Nancy were married.  The couple celebrated 66 years together earlier this year.

After their marriage, Rex served in the U.S. Army, both in the homeland, as well as in Germany. After he was discharged, the couple returned to Huntington and began raising their children, while Rex worked in manufacturing.  In 1969, Rex and Nancy relocated to Royal Center, Indiana, where Rex was a manager of the company, and later part of the ownership group, at National Friction Products in Logansport, Indiana. Rex was passionate about gardening and was the most tidy and organized person Nancy ever knew.  His children also know that he was a ‘Jack-of-all-trades’, and as far as they know, there was nothing he couldn’t fix.  After retirement, Rex and Nancy also resided in Vero Beach, Florida, prior to their final move to Alabama.

An active, lifelong member of the Nazarene Churches in the communities that Rex and Nancy resided.  Rex served on many church boards and labored tirelessly to maintain and improve the church facilities as well as the congregations.

The happy couple have four children, all who survive, including Tim (Jan) Keiser (Ankeny, IA), Jeff (Dawn) Keiser (Ankeny, IA), Cindi (Dave Roten) Pond (Morgantown, IN), and Andy (Susie) Keiser (Rochester, IN).  They also have five grandchildren – Aaron Keiser, Jason (Amy) Keiser, Blake (Liz) Keiser, Amber (Matt) Fjelland, and Samantha (Michael) Strantz.  The couple also have 13 great grandchildren.  Rex was a role-model to all his family, and his legacy will continue to impact the generations to follow.

Surviving along with his wife and children, Rex has one brother, Jack (Jeanne) Keiser (Clearwater, FL).  Rex was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his step-brother, O. John Keiser.

The Family wish to express their sincere and grateful thanks for the excellent care of their loved one to the Third Floor ACE (Acute Care of the Elderly) unit nursing and medical staff at Crestwood Medical Center.

A private celebration of life gathering will be held.

Arrangements have been made through Berryhill Funeral Home (Huntsville, AL) and Rans Funeral Home (Royal Center, IN).

Memorial contributions may be made to: Southeast Church of the Nazarene, 2275 Cecil Ashburn Dr., SE, Huntsville, AL 35802 or – simply visit www.HSVSENAZ.ORG, and click on GIVE at the top of the page