Howard Keithley Jr.

Howard Keithley, Jr. 98 passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter Elisa on May 23, 2026.

Junior began his life on August 23, 1927, in Weiser, Idaho. His parents were Howard Keithley, Sr. and Cora (Johnson) Keithley.

Junior was the grandson of one of Middle Valley’s (Midvale’s) original settlers. John D. Keithley and his older brothers Levi and Robert arrived in the early 1870’s. John and Levi became partners as “hog raisers” and acquired water rights on Big Creek (Keithley Creek) in 1876. The brothers would also be joined by their sister Margaret “Maggie” and her husband Griffin Keithley and family. John married Serepta Sarah “Seppie” Evans in 1882 and they became the parents of 5 children including Howard Sr., father of Howard Jr. After John’s death in 1906, Seppie and Sons, Howard Sr., Claude and John C. continued the ranch operation which also included cattle and horses. Howard Jr. spent his entire life living and working on this ranch on Keithley Creek. He enjoyed riding on the mountain, rounding up and moving the cattle from the summer grazing lands.

Junior attended Midvale School and married his classmate Vivian (Doggett) in June 1949. They worked side by side every day on the Keithley Ranch. They raised 3 children Gary, Elisa and Linda.

Junior was one of the original founders of the Midvale Fire Protection District in 1976. In 2022, Jr. was awarded a plaque honoring his 46 years of service as a fire commissioner and fire fighter. Junior was also a member of the Cattleman’s Association; The Odd Fellows and he served as a school board member for the Midvale School District.

Throughout the years, many people came to Junior to hear information and stories relating to the events and happenings of Midvale. He was a vault of information on this topic.

Junior leaves behind 3 children; Gary (Linda) Keithley, Elisa (Roger) Wright, and Linda (Patrick) McDonald. 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Howard Keithley Sr. and Cora Keithley, an infant son Larry, his wife Vivian, infant great granddaughter McCaylee, brother Virgel, grandson Joseph and many cherished family members and close friends.

A special thank you to the staff at Ancora Hospice for the wonderful care of our dad in his last few months.