White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Keith C. Pearson, 81 years old, of Van Horne, Iowa, formerly of Independence, Iowa, died on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at Solera Hospital in Edinburg, Texas, of leukemia.  He was born on March 4, 1930, at home near Hedrick, Iowa, the son of Lora Vernal and Ona Edna (Carter) Pearson.  He was the youngest of eight children.  He attended most of his school years in Hedrick.  And then, he graduated from high school in Van Horne with the Class of 1949.  On August 10, 1950, he and the former Joyce Mae Kading were married in Agency, Iowa.  Mr. Pearson then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  From 1959 until 1968, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson owned and operated the Western Auto Store in Independence.  They also farmed near Independence, Monti, and Van Horne.  They were also self employed in many other ventures before retirement and wintering in Mission, Texas.  He was a member of the Jaycees in Independence, the V.F.W., and the American Legion.

Mr. Pearson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joyce, 2 daughters, Connie Jo Haynes of Waterloo, Iowa, and Pamela (Rich) Sackett of Winthrop, 3 grandchildren, Justin (Kristen) Rogers of Waterloo, Iowa, Kelby (Ashley) Haynes of Waterloo, Iowa, and Dawn (Ryan) Kress of Independence, 1 great granddaughter, Kading Kress, and 1 sister, Evelyn VanDeusen of Vinton, Iowa, along with several wonderful nieces and nephews.   

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 grandson, Nicholas Sperfslage, 3 brothers, Cecil Pearson, Bud Pearson, and Joe Pearson, and 3 sisters, Lola Bitner, Mitzi Mulgrave, and Fern Doud.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 5, 2012, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Harry Cummins and Dawn Kress officiating.  Casket Bearers will be Steve VanDeusen, Troy VanDeusen, George Pearson, Ora Jay Pearson, Jim Fottral, Ryan Fottral, Justin Rogers, and Kelby Haynes.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 4th, at the funeral home.