Donald "Mike" Michael Keithly

    I can only surmise that if you are reading this, the big guy topside decided it was my time to come home. I was born on September 5, 1948 in Boise, grew up in Pocatello and passed from this earth on May 4, 2024.

    As a kid, I was always fascinated by all things military, so it was no surprise when I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during the summer of 1965 before graduating from Pocatello High School. Like young men, time immemorial, I too believed that I was immortal and sought adventure in a far-away place called the Republic of South Vietnam. From June of 1967 to May 1969 I served as a rifleman (grunt) with Golf Co. 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines; I loved being a Marine and retired in 1990 as a Major.

    My life had many blessings, especially the tall dark-haired beauty from Pocatello who consented to be my bride in 1976, and our cherished son, Ian, born in 1983. Although Ian was challenged by cerebral palsy for nearly nineteen years, the lessons he taught us were too numerous to list. A tough little guy, full of love and mischief, he would have made one hell of a Marine. I hope that Ian, minus his old wheelchair, and I are trout fishing in Heaven. For my wife, Shauna, thanks honey for loving me and sharing the good times with the bad times, for being the most wonderful and loving mother to Ian, truly a most remarkable woman and friend. Life was good, filled with love and good friends, thank you Lord.

    I was preceded in death by my parents, Don and Betty of Idaho Falls; my youngest brother, Rob; my beloved son, Ian; and my faithful 23 fellow Marines from 3rd Platoon who didn’t come home from ‘Nam’.

     I am survived by my wife, Shauna; sister, Kim David (Matthew Stanton); brother, Steve Keithly; sisters-in-law: Linda Gebhart and  Pam (Terry) Myers and numerous nieces and nephews. 

    A graveside service will be conducted at 4 PM on Friday, May 10th at Morris Hill Cemetery, 317 N. Latah St. in Boise.  Father Timothy Ritchey will offer as many good reasons as he can think of to our Lord that I should be admitted into His Kingdom. If you’ve got some loose change in your pocket, please donate to any organization that serves children with disability.  Semper Fidelis!