Keith Ray Kahnt, 69, of White City, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015, at the Morris County Hospital in Council Grove after a 5 month battle with lung cancer. Keith was born May 25, 1946 in Emporia, Kansas, the only son of Arthur Richard and Anna Kathryn (Evans) Kahnt.
Keith’s family lived in White City when he was born but soon moved to Dwight where he grew up, attended school and graduated from Dwight Rural High School in 1964. Keith attended McPherson College for one year before entering the United States Air Force in October of 1965, spending four years including a year of duty in Thailand during the Viet Nam War.
Keith married Joann Marie Phelps on December 26, 1965 in White City, Kansas. After his tour of duty in the Air Force, Keith and Joann settled in White City and Keith worked at Gorham Motors in Junction City for a year. He then worked nine years at Green Ford in Abilene before opening his own shop in White City in 1979. He built a new shop in 1983 and retired in 2009 after 30 years.
After retirement, and his first battle with cancer, Keith thoroughly enjoyed seven years of working as a substitute para in the special education department of White City Schools. He loved working with the teachers, students and staff at the school and was so proud when the students would proudly show him their improvements. He was blessed with many signs of their appreciation and love for him through their cards, art work, math problems, flowers, visits and other acts of kindness they showed him during his latest battle with cancer.
After his enlistment in the Air Force, Keith returned to serve his country in the Kansas Air National Guard in 1986, retiring in 2006. He was most proud of his attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant which is quite rare for a traditional guardsman to accomplish. He served his country proudly and with much dedication as was quite evident at his retirement ceremonies.
Keith was a true community warrior as he was dedicated to giving his time and talents to his friends and neighbors. He served on the USD #481 Board of Education and White City city council where he was presently serving as mayor. He also recently represented White City on the Flint Hills Regional Council and was proud to have hosted one of their meetings last year, showing off his community.
Keith was a member of the White City Schools site council, serving as president for several years; was instrumental in getting the Huskie Expo started, worked hard to get the park playground and concession stand/restrooms built. He had been a volunteer with the White City Ambulance Crew/Morris County EMS for 15 years, amassing a total of over 25,000 volunteer hours. Keith had been a baseball coach for over 25 years with the White City Ball Association, having the privilege of coaching over 200 youngsters from 7-18 during that time. He had served as president of the Flint Hills Baseball League as well as being a voting member for several years. He also spent endless nights at the ballfield volunteering his services as an umpire and every team learned that his strike zone was low but always consistent. One of the things he enjoyed most the past few years was being a member of the "Pyro Crew" for the annual Independence Day Celebration Fireworks Show at White City. He especially enjoyed spending countless hours with Joel making racks and taking care of other preparations as he took so much pride in helping put on "The Best Fireworks Show in Kansas".
Keith served the White City United Methodist Church on the board of trustees for several years as well as being finance chairman the past several years. He loved the Lord and felt honored to be able to work at anything that was needed at his church, including doing repairs, serving as an usher and working with the administrative council.
He always referred to himself as the "silent partner" at The Prairie Post and was always willing to help at any task except typing. He enjoyed just coming to the office, sitting in the rocking chair and visiting with whoever walked in the door. His first words to Joann when she came home were, "Well, how’s the paper coming? Any news in it?"
But with all of the volunteer work he did and all of the things he did for his community, the thing that he was most proud of was his family. He beamed with pride at the three sons he and Joann raised. He loved nothing better than seeing his family around his dinner table and teasing his grandkids. He loved attending the grandkids activities and watching his sons coach. He was so proud to have worked hard to be able to attend his oldest granddaughter’s graduation last month. His wife, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren were truly his pride and joy.
Keith was not afraid to tackle any task, building a room onto his house, building his shop, remodeling the kitchen, painting the newspaper office, doing plumbing work, working in his flower gardens or playing a competitive game of cards. Everyone was welcome at the Kahnt home and Keith loved to share a good laugh with everyone. He will be missed by the many, many people who knew and loved him.
Keith is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joann, of the home in White City; two sons, Joel and his wife Stacy of White City and Jay and his wife Elizabeth of Ottawa; four grandchildren, Alexis, Madison, Emma and Cooper; two sisters, Karen Swartz of West Jordan, Utah and Virginia Kahnt of Houston, Texas; two nephews, Darrell Troester and wife Shari of Salt Lake City, Utah and Mitch Swartz and wife Tammy of Kansas City, Missouri; four nieces, Lori Kay Bentley and husband Don of Cedar City, Utah, Candace Stokes and husband Trey, of South Jordan, Utah, Daneen Jensen and husband Dave of Murray, Utah and Daphne Provard and husband John of Herriman, Utah; two aunts, Alice Summerfield of Jay, Oklahoma and Peg Evans of Howard, Kansas, cousins and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff, on July 12, 1995; his parents, Art and Kathryn Kahnt; his sister, Arley Goris; and a nephew, David Troester.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions honoring the life of Keith Kahnt may be made to the Keith Kahnt Memorial Fund and sent in care of Penwell-Gabel Flint Hills Chapel, 137 N Union, Council Grove, KS 66846.