Keith Gifford

Keith Gifford, 70, died Feb. 26, 2009 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mr. Gifford served four years in the U.S. Navy and later worked in sawmills in Montana and Arizona and also with the school district in Payson, Ariz. He retired from Payson Regional Medical Center and called Payson home at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; three children, Rockie, Robynn and Rhonda; and three grandchildren – all of Libby; two sisters, Connie and husband Keith Zahnter of Payson and Carolyn and husband Don McCasland of Paxton, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were held on March 3 at Messinger Payson Funeral Home.

A memorial service is planned for Thursday, April 2, at 2 p.m. at the Libby Christian Church.

Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or American Parkinson Disease Association, c/o Tom Viviano, 1012 E. Willetta St. No. 108, Phoenix, AZ 85006.