Keith Lynn Hedges, 67, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Banner – University Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was born in Bluffton on Oct. 25, 1957 to Kenneth L. and Judith (Krinn) Heges. Keith grew up in the Markle, Uniondale area and graduated from Norwell High School, where he was an active member of the Chamber Singers Choir and trumpeter in the nationally aclaimed Norwell Marching Band.
He graduated from Manchester College and worked at Lincoln Life Insurance Company for 14 years. There he met the love of his life, Diana McCollou and her three sons. They were married at Lake Tahoe, California, on April 4, 1987.
Loving to cook for his new family, he graduated from Culinary Art Institute in Scotsdale, Arizona, in 1995. He started as a chef at the L’auberge, a Five Star restaurant and resort in Sedona, Arizona. Later he moved east for a short time and was a chef in upstate New York and a ski resort in New Hampshire, then at Bellagio’s in Las Vegas. He moved back to what he called home in Sedona, working at L’auberge as a master chef and kitchen manager.
Keith loved working with people, had a very caring heart, was always willing to help anyone, and brought fun and laughter to any event.
Keith is survived by his wife, Diana of Sedona; his mother, Judy (Krinn) Hedges Grove and a stepfather, Robert Grover of Bluffton; his three stepsons, Jeffrey Keaffaber of Florida, who works as a water specialist with Sea World and Disney, Jay Thomas Keaffaber of Sedona, and Andrew (April) Keaffaber and grandson McKinley of Bennington, Vermont; three sisters, Rebecca Gruesbeck of Indianapolis, Doborah (Scott) Trout of South Whitley, and Julia (Lon) Johnson of Fort Wayne; step-brother, Marke (Denise) Grove of Churubusco; step-sister, Beth (Jeff) Stevens of Turkey Lake, Indiana; and eight neices and nephews and their families.
Keith was preceded by his father, Kenneth L. Hedges; grandparents, Leroy and Vera Hedges and Harold and Mildred Krinn; and nephew, Aaron Klefeker.
Keith will be laid to rest in Sedona with memorial rites at his home church at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. A memorial service celebrating Keith’s life will be held at First Baptist Church in Bluffton at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Fund or charity of your choice instead of flowers.