Keith Allan Scannell

Keith A. Scannell, age 60, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away peacefully on September 26th, 2015. He was born August 23rd, 1955 and was the sole surviving child of Richard C. Scannell and Marion J. (Mentz) Scannell. His younger brother, Kent Stuart Scannell, preceded him in death. Keith is survived by his wife, Nancy Lou (Koontz) Scannell and mother.

While growing up, Keith was a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow. In accordance with the precepts of love of country that were instilled in him by his father, who was a history teacher at Xenia High School, and by his scoutmaster, Judson Webb, Keith chose to enlist in the U.S. Navy following his 1974 graduation from Xenia High School rather than go directly to college. He served from 1974 to 1978, during the final days of the Vietnam War, and was given an Honorable Discharge following a traumatic brain injury which he incurred while he was serving abroad the U.S.S. Little Rock.

Keith married his wife, Nancy, on April 5th, 1989, and they lived first in Fairborn and then Xenia, Ohio. He enjoyed westerns, especially those featuring John Wayne, and read extensively in classic science fiction and fantasy. Another interest was military history, especially that of the Civil War period.

Keith suffered from the lasting effects of a traumatic brain injury he received while in the service, and for the past few years was a resident first at Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where his wife Nancy still resides, and then at Kingston of Miamisburg. His mother is currently a resident of Heartland of Beavercreek.

Keith always lived by the Boy Scout principles of honor and loyalty he learned in his childhood. He was a man of strong faith and he passed away in the certain hope of resurrection with Christ and reunion with his loved ones beyond the grave. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, please take time to individually thank the service members, veterans, and public safety officers of our community for their dedication and service.

Friends are welcome to join the family Tuesday, October 6th, 2015 from 1-2:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4104 Needmore Rd., Dayton, Ohio (937-235-1000). Burial with full military honors will follow at Dayton National Cemetery beginning at 3:00 p.m.