Irving C. Keith, 84, of South Main St. died Monday, April 26, 2004, in Holden Nursing Home after an illness.

His wife of 55 years, Ruth H. (Connors) Keith, died in 1998. He leaves two sons, John I. Keith and his wife, Glenda of Ruskin, Florida, and William F. Keith of Colonial Heights, Virginia; two daughters, Kathleen A. Sherblom and her husband, Brad of Holden, and Susan D, Whalen and her husband, Robert of Bristol, Vermont; a sister, Irene Hayden of Grafton; six grandchildren, Andrew, Seth and Brittney Keith, and Timothy, Laura and David Sherblom; and three great grandchildren. He was born and raised in Grafton, the son of Fred and Florence (Tebo) Keith, and lived most of his life in Holden.

Mr. Keith Graduated from Grafton High School and worked at Reed Rolled Thread and Die Company in Holden for many years. He was a member and Deacon Emeritus of the First Baptist Church of Holden. He was a World War II Marine Corps veteran and served as a sergeant in the Pacific Theater.

The funeral service for Mr. Keith will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 29, in the First Baptist Church of Holden, 1216 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, 217 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), Paxton. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Baptist Church of Holden, 1216 Main Street, Holden, MA 01520.