R. Keith Munger

When reflecting on the life of Rolland Keith Munger, words such as honor, integrity, and generosity come to mind. He was accepting of others, never uttering an unkind word about anyone. As far as fathers go Keith was second to none since he was not only a steady presence in the lives of his children, but also taught them to be people of great character. It was easy to see by the way he lived his life that Keith’s faith was not only the rock he built his life upon, but also his guiding light along his life’s journey. When his family and friends saw his special grin they knew Keith was up to no good, but also that his playful antics and goodhearted fun were really just a reflection of his deep love for each and every person in his life.

The decade that is often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” was a time of innovation and expansion in America. We were propelled forward after the end of the First World War left us internationally recognized as a world leader. It was in 1922 that the Wrigley Building was completed, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., and over 500 radio stations were in operation. There was much to celebrate during this same year in the family of Rollie and Gladys (Reed) Munger since in was on the sixth of September that they welcomed their son, Rolland Keith, into their hearts and home. Born in St. Johns, Michigan, Rolland was the second of four children in his family including his older sister and his younger brother and sister. Since he was the first boy in the family, Keith was admittedly a bit of a momma’s boy. His father worked for F. C. Mason while his mother stayed home. He attended local schools including Rodney B. Wilson High School where he played trumpet in the school band. Of great significance during Keith’s high school years was a certain young woman named Hazel Groves. He and his buddies followed her and some of her girlfriends home from the roller rink one night, marking the beginning of a love story that would span nearly 68 years. A dating relationship ensued over the following few years.

After graduating from high school in 1940, Keith went to work for F.C. Mason. Any plans he had were interrupted, however, after our nation declared a state of war in response to the vicious attack at our naval base in Pearl Harbor. Keith enlisted in the Navy and prepared to ship out, but not before giving his sweetheart a ring. They were married about a year later on January 7, 1943, in St. Johns while Keith was home on leave. The newlyweds corresponded through letter while they were apart and looked forward to being reunited. While overseas, Keith served as a torpedo mate first class aboard the USS Cowpens and the USS Bougainville.

When his time in the military was fulfilled, Keith returned home to his bride. He worked at Matthews Ice Cream in St. Johns, but he soon settled in at Federal Mogul where he remained throughout the rest of his career. Together Keith and Hazel were blessed with two daughters, Lynda and Sandra, and one son, Michael. He was very involved in the lives of their children and through watching their father, his children learned invaluable lessons about life. They learned to work hard for what they wanted, to take care of their things, and to treat others with kindness. Keith and Hazel lived in the same house throughout their entire married life and as their needs changed, he simply remodeled it.

Everything Keith accomplished in his life would not have been possible without his faith. Both Hazel and his children learned to walk in faith through watching the life Keith lived everyday. He read his Bible daily, and both he and Hazel were raised attending the First United Methodist Church in St. Johns. Later in life, they attended Eureka Christian Church.

Over the years, Keith enjoyed a diverse palette of interests. During his younger years he enjoyed fishing and would hunt just about anything. Keith took many hunting trips out west and several fishing trips up north including many to Canada. He stopped both hunting and fishing almost entirely after his best friend died at a young age. Keith had a great group of friends that had been established as a young boy, and he was a member of the American Legion Post #153. He loved square dancing with the St. Johns Hoe Downers, watching sports, adding to his coin collection, and building models.

Later in life, Keith continued to live each moment to its fullest. He retired after 35 years of dedicated service to Federal Mogul, allowing him to pursue a more carefree lifestyle. Keith and Hazel loved to travel and took quite a few motorcycle trips through the years. They took bus trips after he retired and regularly went to Turkeyville near Marshall with their friends. Always one to be active, Keith worked as a bagger at Goff Grocery Store and then as a greeter at Walmart.

There were so many things that made Keith so special. Not only was he a man of great character, but he guided young boys into becoming men of character by serving as a Boy Scout leader long after his son completed the program. Keith had a wonderful sense of humor and a fun-loving spirit that so often extended to those around him. He loved spending time with people, but treasured the peace and solitude he found alone in his den, too.

Like a ray of sunshine, Rolland Keith Munger spread his warmth to all those within his reach. He had a special place in his heart for children, but only once they could stand on their own, and genuine compassion for all people. Keith’s love for his Lord Jesus Christ was his constant companion, and his devotion to his family was unmatched. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered for generations to come.

Rolland Keith Munger died January 3, 2011. Keith’s family includes his wife, Hazel; two daughters, Lynda (Rick) Knight of St. Johns, Sandra (Doug) Thorne of Lansing; one son, Michael (Brenda) Munger of St. Johns; seven grandchildren, Erica (Jay) Bancroft, Sean (Shaun Rosenbeck) Knight, Gina Davidson, Jaime Kositzke, Lindsay Thorne, Elissa (Joel) Ryan, Shawna (Greg) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Shawna and Lauren Bancroft, Amaya Hall, Matthew Kositzke II, Sophia Harper, Maxwell Johnson and Ellouise Ryan; sister, Jacqueline Fitzner; brother, Reed (Nancy) Munger; and several nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Pauline Moore. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 6, 2011, at the Osgood Funeral Home, with Pastor Keith Whipple officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation-Clinton Co. Chapter, St. Johns Fire Dept., or the Eureka Christian Church.