Sue Anne Halliwill Keets, 91 of Ashland, OH, passed away at her home on December 15, 2025, following an extended period of complications due to Dementia. She will be united in Heaven with her God, who she worshiped, and her beloved husband of 67 years, Richard, and her sister Betty Jane Linn, both who she has truly missed. Sue was born in Ashland, OH on May 28, 1934, to John (Jack) and Virginia McCray Halliwill. She spent her childhood on High Street in Ashland before moving to the family farm on the Old Belle Trail Road (Co. Rd. 1600), where she helped with egg collection and caring for her horse, Kansas City Girl and her pet raccoon, Rascal.

She attended Grant Elementary and Montgomery School, graduating from Ashland Sr. High School in 1952. At the age of 16, she was an exchange student, spending 3 months in Mexico City with her Aunt and Uncle Ed and Grace McCray Rigney. During high school, Sue was active in the Drama Club, FHA Club, Girls Reserve, ushering, and served as a school monitor. Outside of school, she was a dedicated 4-H member, focusing mainly on sewing projects, and showed her horse, Kansas City Girl, in the Ashland Paint and Plain Horse Club with her father and at the Ashland Co. Fair. Sue held fond memories of her time spent on the weekends going to the movies with her grandfather Judge Benjamin McCray, at the Ashland Schine’s Movie Theater.

Originally arranged to become an airline stewardess after high school graduation, Sue’s plan changed when she became engaged to her 8th grade sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Keets. She cherished the friendship ring Richard gave her in the 8th grade, which she still has. He proposed in September 1954 at a cold Ashland Co. Fair horse show while on leave from the US. Navy. They were married on March 12, 1955 at the Ashland First Presbyterian Church by Reverends Harold Andrews and William G. Chalmers. The couple first lived in Nankin, where Sue was a homemaker on a crop and dairy farm. Later moved to King Road (Co. Rd. 995), Ashland, and in 1969 purchasing their farm on the old Steamtown Rd. (Co. Rd. 1095), where they lived until retirement. In 2003 moving to their home outside of Hayesville, OH.

Sue is survived by her children: Molinda (Molly) and Scott Schoepe of Gnadenhutten, OH; Kathryn (Kate) Keets of Ashland, OH, Sally Keets, Mansfield, OH; and Jason (Jay) Melissa Reid Keets, Loudonville, OH. She also leaves behind grandchildren Kaylee Schoepe of New Jersey, Holly Miller Loudonville, OH, and Shane Reid Loudonville, OH, and great-grandchildren Kaleb Morris, Raelynn Lycans and Eli Lycans all of Loudonville, OH. Nephew, Ronnie (Diane) Linn Ashland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Virginia Halliwill, husband, Richard (Dick) Keets sister, Betty Jane Linn and Clifford Linn. And her 2 nieces, Shari Linn and Linda Krebs.

Throughout her life, Sue worked several places including The Home Co., First National Bank, The Home Hardware, Ashland City Schools (food services), Sears, and the Rite Aid Pharmacy.

Sue’s hobbies and interests were many. She taught children’s Sunday School and was a Brownie leader at Montgomery Elementary School. The family enjoyed weekend day trips around Ohio and her most memorable Disney trips that her son and daughter-in-law took her and her husband on several times. An avid reader and enjoyed reciting poetry. Sue owned thousands of books and regularly took her children to the library every other week. She was an exceptional knitter, raised several canaries and parakeets, and loved listening to her vast collection of CD’s, with her favorite musician being Steve Hall, pianist. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles (framing many), crossword and word find puzzles, and playing solitaire cards. She crafted several latch hook pillows and rugs and painted beautiful oil paintings by number. Known for her cooking skills, she owned many cookbooks. Above all, Sue had a nurturing spirit in caring for numerous cats over the years, including her oldest living and favorite cat, Butch, who is 22 years old. She also collected Precious Moments Figures, cat-themed items, candles, and glassware of Fenton and LG Wright. Sue enjoyed transporting/carpooling her children to band practice, Ada, OH ONU, Little League, football games, 4-H meetings, and volleyball practices.

Sue was a member of the Ashland Brethren in Christ Church, the Thomas Farmers Community Club, and supported the Ashland Sr. High Band Booster Club for several years.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Brethren in Christ Church with Pastor Keith Tyson presiding. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service at the church from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Private interment will be in the Ashland County Memorial Park on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ashland Brethren in Christ Church,2750 Mifflin Ave., Ashland, OH, 44805, The Ashland Cat House Sanctuary Inc., 1130 East Main St. #136, Ashland, OH, 44805 or to Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home for interment, 313 Center St., Ashland, OH, 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’ s website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.

Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory

Website: denbowfh.com