Funeral Services for Kieth Reese, Age 77 of Vanzant, Missouri will be held on Saturday, June 27th, 2026 at The Cold Creek Cowboy Church, Ava, Missouri beginning at 11:00 AM. Visitation will precede the service two hours prior beginning at 9:00 AM. Interment will be in the Penner Cemtery, Vanzant, Missouri.
Arrangements under the directions of The Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mountain Grove, Missouri.
Marlin Kieth Reese, affectionately known as Kieth, of Vanzant, Missouri, was born September 8, 1948, in Mansfield, Missouri, to Marlin and Virginia Lee (Welton) Reese. He passed away on June 23, 2026, in Vanzant, Missouri, at the age of 77.
Kieth grew up in the Topaz community. He was taught a strong work ethic by his father while working in the sawmill with his brothers by his side. He and his brother, Max, enjoyed trapping and coon hunting. He married Paulette Mooney and together they raised their four children in Vanzant.
On June 19th, 1983 (Father’s Day), Kieth attended Pleasant Home Church and won a cake for having the most children in church. Our family has always said this was the day the Lord planted a seed that led Kieth to a relationship with Christ. This then led him to his greatest accomplishment- becoming a pastor and leading a multitude of people to Christ. He baptized his own father and most of his grandkids. He had a passion for the Bible and loved teaching the word of God to any person he would come across. He was a lifelong learner and continued taking college courses at MSU-WP into his 60’s, learning as much as he could about the Bible.
In 1987, when the hog and dairy markets collapsed, Kieth started his business, Reese Pump Service. If a farmer called needing water, Kieth answered. He never wanted a farmer or widow to go without water because the Bible teaches us to take care of the elderly. He taught each of his kids to work pumps and take care of the needy. When the kids grew up, and moved out, he then started teaching his grandsons. Today, his grandson, Chayton, proudly carries on Reese Pump Service, honoring his grandfather’s legacy and filling very big shoes.
Kieth was faced with diabetes in his early 60’s and was determined to control it with weight loss and exercise. This led him to take up dancing. He was an excellent dancer and traveled many miles to dance to a good band. While on the dance floor he met a beautiful lady, Fern. He and Fern danced together nearly every weekend. They also enjoyed riding trails together; Fern, on her horse Pokey, and Kieth, on his mule Chester. There wasn’t a trail at Noblett Lake they did not know.
One of his favorite times, during his later years, was hunting and fishing with his grandkids and going to Colorado with his sons. Bears didn’t stand a chance in front of Kieth. The grandkids never had to ask for tackle or ammo because Grandpa kept them stocked. Another thing he enjoyed, and took pride in, was his flowers. His rose bushes and sunflowers were never neglected. He and his sister, Susan, had a passion for raising beautiful flowers.
Kieth would tell you that in the book of Ecclesiastes it says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’” He would often say that the “evil days” described in that passage were the difficult days he was now living through. His health took a very sudden decline at the beginning of June. Kieth took great pride in his house he built with a beautiful rock fireplace. Thankfully, he was able to pass from earth and into Heaven while in the living room of his house, surrounded by his family, whom he loved greatly. The family would like to thank Hospice Compassus and Dr. Barbe for making this possible.
Kieth wasn’t a talker; his walk did the speaking. When he did talk, his words were wise and always found something positive to say. His greatest desire was that others would know the Savior he faithfully served. His family rejoices knowing he is now home with the Lord.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Marlin and Virginia Reese; brothers, Danny and Teddy; sister-in-law, Eloise Reese; nephew, Jared Reese, all of whom he was ready to see again in Heaven.
He is survived by his fiancée, Fern Filley; sons, Brian (Julie), Jamie (Dusty), Michael (Erica); daughter, Sarah (Nathan); grandchildren, Alexandra (Nich), Marlie (Austin), Chayton (Ashley), Cole (Makalah), Gavin, Grayden, Rylen, Rhett, Ridge, Dryden, Reese and Oliver; great-grandchildren, Mia, Micah, Brenley and Briar; brothers, Max and Dwight (Valerie); sister, Susan (Tom) Mason; many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made in Kieth’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or to the Penner Cemetery by way of the funeral home.
