Keith Barth

Keith Maynard Barth, 61, of Freeport went to his heavenly home on March 6, 2023. With the support of his family and friends, Keith fought a valiant and extended battle with Prostate Cancer. The youngest child of Jack and Lorraine (Schmidt) Barth, he was born in Freeport, IL on July 23, 1961. On November 27, 1994, he married LaVon (Eiseman) Clay, in a small country church near Stockton, IL and became stepfather to Carla (Clay) Fiene and Casey (Clay) Tarbert.  Keith attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and after graduation in 1979 from Shannon H.S., he attended Spartan College of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. This training led to a career as production supervisor for large companies such as Sheller-Globe of Canada (United Technologies) and Morton Salt (Canadian Salt Company of Windsor, ON). In December of 1995, Keith began working as a rear-farm tire builder for Goodyear Tire in Freeport. In 1996 he became a supervisor for Goodyear and kept that position with Titan Tire until January 2023.
Keith's range of handyman skills were put to good use on the many household projects he and LaVon accomplished. They built their own bedroom furniture and renovated the interior of their home while living on Dewey Street. Never timid, Keith enjoyed the process of “figuring it out” while he wore his “repairman” hat. He also gave great attention to having a well-manicured lawn.  Keith enjoyed riding the trails on his paint horse named Suede and was happy to have been molded into a cowboy, by LaVon. After selling the horses, the Barths continued camping and enjoyed trail riding on 4-wheelers with family.
Park Hills Church and small group meetings with his church family were a source of encouragement that fueled his Christian faith. A thank you is extended to the staff at FHN Ferguson Cancer Center for exceptional care, and to Titan Tire management for their compassionate support during difficult days.
Keith is survived by his wife, LaVon; brother Kevin (Connie) Barth; sister Jacqueline Cornelius and foster sister Cheryl Lise Jacobo; stepdaughter Carla Fiene; step grandchildren Ethan (Hilary) Fiene, Cora (Jordan) Eilders, Kyley Cardoza and Clay Cardoza, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenneth Barth, and stepdaughter Casey Tarbert.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18 th
at 11am at Park Hills Church in Freeport, IL. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd. Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com