Keith W. Parney

As family and friends can surely attest, Keith Parney truly understood the secret to a life well lived. He was a constant pillar of strength for those around him, and his faith formed the unshakeable foundation of his life. Nothing brought Keith greater joy than spending time with his family, no matter how simple the moments. He was always willing to go above and beyond to serve others, and he exemplified what it meant to live a life of kindness and unfailing love. Deeply missed, Keith will be forever held in the hearts of those who knew him best.

The 1950s in the United States are remembered as a time of great and influential change. The country boomed in the wake of the Korean Conflict, and the civil rights movement was in full swing. It was during this exciting time that Richard and Lorraine (Brockette) Parney of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were eagerly awaiting the arrival of their youngest child. On October 3, 1959, they welcomed their son, Keith William, into the world.

Growing up, Keith was a typical young man of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home in Coopersville alongside his older siblings. From a young age, Keith loved to run wild and go on adventures. He could often be found riding trail bikes or shooting off BB guns. Keith picked “pickles” in order to earn money, building the foundation of his solid work ethic. He attended local schools until the age of 16, then joined the military as soon as he could. Keith bravely served his country for two years in the United States Army. Throughout those two years, he earned his GED, and following his discharge, he returned to Grand Rapids.

All who knew Keith can certainly agree that, of all the things he loved in life, he treasured his family above all else. He was overjoyed to become a father to Doloris, JC, and later to Elizabeth and William as well. Keith thrived in his role as a father and worked very hard to provide for his children. He raised his family on 3rd Street, where they lived in several homes along the street over the years. Later in life, Keith was thrilled to become a grandfather as well. His family grew to include several nieces and nephews, and he had grown up very close to his uncles. Keith considered himself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

New and exciting changes were on the horizon for Keith as he met the woman who would soon become his wife of 35 years. Her name was Cindy Geney, and the two first met when the circus came to the Devos Center in 1981. Keith was there with his daughter, Doe, and Cindy was babysitting a boy. They dated for some time but ended up breaking up, and their lives grew apart. However, Keith and Cindy met once again in 1985 while working for Kelly Services. This time, Keith and Cindy were inseparable. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, they married in 1988 and went tent camping for their honeymoon, eating smoked fish. Keith and Cindy would eat smoked fish every year after to celebrate their anniversary.

Keith was never afraid to work hard when it came to providing for his family. When he first settled in Grand Rapids after his time in the Army, he worked whatever jobs he could in order to take care of Doe. Keith worked for Kelly Services, and he also went back to school to learn how to be an auto mechanic. He worked in roofing for 15 years, and later on, he spent 20 years as a truck driver.

Never one to sit still for long, Keith pursued many hobbies to stay busy in his free time. He loved the great outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially with his children. Keith would hunt deer every Thanksgiving morning, then return home for the holiday meal and to help clean up. He was always listening to country music or talk radio. Keith liked riding motorcycles and even owned two vintage Goldwings. He was a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association as well. Later in life, Keith learned to and enjoyed brewing beer and making wine. Keith was known for his hour-long phone calls. He was a faithful member of City View Church for 25 years. Keith was very active within the church and served as a van driver and a deacon. He and Cindy also helped as youth leaders. Later, Keith joined Ignite Fellowship Church.

When reflecting on the life of Keith Parney, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He was a shining example of hard work and service to others. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Keith was a friend to many and beloved by all. He faced challenges head-on with a spirit of gentle determination, and his primary focus in life was forming deep and personal relationships with those around him. Though he will be dearly missed, Keith leaves behind a priceless legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

PARNEY – Mr. Keith William Parney, age 64, of Grand Rapids, passed away on March 14, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Lorraine Parney; daughter, Doloris “Doe” Monroe; step mother, Shirley Parney; sister-in-law, Pam Geney and brother-in-law, Steve Geney. Keith is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cindy; children, John “JC” (Karen) Kiss, Elizabeth “Beth” Ramey and William Parney; grandchildren, Emily, Austin, Ethan, Alana, Skylar, and Benjamin; siblings, Rick Parney, Rose (David) Wildbahn, James (Gayle) Parney, Alfred (Jennie) Moore; sisters-in-law, Sue Bynum, Terri Coons, Christina (Ken) Novakowski and Debbie Geney; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The visitation will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 6-8 PM and 1 hr prior to the service. Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to submit a favorite memory, photo or to sign the guestbook online.