James "Donald" Keister, 84, died in the E.R. of St. Joseph Medical Center – Plymouth Campus, at 11:35 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2012.
      
       Don was born in Mishawaka, the son of James Clinton and Florence Eva (Gang) Keister on July 20, 1928.
      
       The family moved to Knox from Mishawaka when he was four-years-old. He graduated from Knox High School with the class of 1946, spent a year at Indiana University, Bloomington. He then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1948. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
      
       On October 25, 1952, in Knox, Don and Frances Cora Stacy were married. Fran survives his passing, along with their two sons and six grandchildren. They are: son, Jim (Linda) Keister of Plymouth and children; Eric Rubesha of Plymouth, Laurie (Joe) Hayes of Noblesville, and Brandon Keister of Plymouth., and son, John (Beth) Keister of Vernon Hills, IL and children; Sarah (Dan) Armstrong of Grayslake, IL, Greta Keister of Vernon Hills and Mary Keister of Washington D.C.
      
       Don was preceded in death by his parents.
      
       For nearly 40 years, Don was the owner of Keister Oil Co. as a distributor of gasoline and home heating fuel. He retired in 1993.
      
       He was a member of the Plymouth-Kilwinning Masonic Lodge #149, and held a 32nd Degree, Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Joseph designation since 1952. He was also active with the VFW Post #748 of Knox.
      
       Don loved to read about railroads and past wars. He and Fran made numerous trips to the Western states visiting friends.
      
       Visitation hours will be from 4 to 8 PM on Friday, September 7, 2012, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Calling will continue in the church one hour prior to services.
      
       A Masonic memorial rite will be provided at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home marking his 62 years of fraternal service.
      
       A Celebration of Life service for Don will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11 AM in the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, where he was a member. Pastor Larry Marhanka will officiate.
      
       Burial will follow in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth where he will be accorded Military Honors by members of the American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars – Marshall County Post 1162, the D.A.V and Navy Honor Guard.
      
       Memorial gifts in memory of Don may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563 or the Michael J. Fox Foundation – Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163.