Keith Conklin Roupe

Keith Conklin Roupe, 82, of Washington, died peacefully in his sleep, Friday, August 3, 2007, in Town View Health & Rehabilitation Center, Canonsburg. He had been in declining health the last two months. He was born in North Strabane Township, February 18, 1925, a son of the late Randall D. and Katherine Conklin Roupe. Keith attended Eighth Ward Grade School and was awarded his diploma from Washington High School in 2002. It was awarded to servicemen who were drafted before they graduated from high school. On May 26, 1943, during World War II, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He received the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, with four Bronze Stars and was Honorably Discharged November 10, 1945. He re-enlisted October 19, 1949, and served during the Korean Conflict, receiving the Korean Service Medal with six Bronze Stars, and Distinguished Unit Emblem. He was Honorably Discharged November 1, 1952, with the rank of Sergeant. Keith retired from Pennsylvania Water Company, formerly Citizens Water Company, as a pump station operator, after thirty-five years of service. He was a lifetime member of Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion, and a member of National Campers and Hikers Association and the Golden Pheasant Club. On February 9, 1946, he married Gwendolyn L. Ealy, who survives. After his retirement, in 1980, he and his wife spent the winters in Florida, before moving back to Washington in 1996. Also surviving are two daughters, Darlene F. Whitfield and husband, Terry, of Houston; and Donna Kalchthaler and husband Tom, of Eighty-Four; four grandchildren, Kelli McClain (Anthony), of Washington, Steven Whitfield (Nicole), of Houston, Amy Kalchthaler, of California, and Ashley Kalchthaler, of Eighty-Four; six great grandchildren, Logan and Bradyn McClain, Tyler, Carly and Carson Whitfield and A.J. McKita; sisters, Leona Phillips of Washington, Garnet Stuler and Lois Friend, both of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are four brothers, Randall D., who died in infancy, W. Allen, Gleason and Merle Roupe; three sisters, Edythe Gongaware Wolfe, Gladys Taylor and Pearl Ramey Williams. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 7, 2007. At a later date, in Fairmount Cemetery, East Finley, military rites will be accorded graveside by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southwestern PA Regional Office, 100 Station Square Drive, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1122, or the Buccaneer Team, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society of Washington, 331 S. Main Street, Washington, PA 15301; or Town View Health and Rehabilitation Center, of Canonsburg, 300 Barr Street, Canonsburg, PA 15317.