John Keierleber

John Keierleber, 74 of Parker, passed away on March 18, 2023 at the Freeman Regional Hospital in Freeman. Memorial Visitation will be held from 10:00-12:00 PM Saturday, March 25m, 2023 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, Parker. In lieu of flowers, John would like to have donations sent to Christian Worship Hour at PO Box 2002, Aberdeen, South Dakota 57402-2002, or the Union Gospel Mission at 701 E. 8th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57103.

1 John 1:7

“But if we are living in the light as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Born in Burlington, Iowa, to Melvin and June Keierleber in September of 1948, John Mark Keierleber was a faithful servant of God throughout his entire life, right up to the end. On March 18, 2023, John, known as “Pop” to so many, left his earthen vessel behind to be with his beloved Lord and Savior, where he is now rejoicing and whole, praising the Lord at His feet.

John was the second of seven children, and at the age of eight, they moved to Texas, where his parents resided until they passed. His siblings are Melvin, Jr., Stephen, Tim, Sarah, James, and Nathan. He is survived by them all and his many nieces and nephews. Working with the Inner-City missions at First Baptist of Dallas, John met his bride, Mary Ann (Greene), married on December 21, 1968, and they spent fifty-four wonderous years together, and raised their two children, Amy and Jonathan, in the way of the Lord. Amy married Mark Roth in 1995 and had nine children, Kate (Casey Mier), Grace, Levi (Lizzie), Mary Jane, Liza, Jack, Lucy, Caleb, and Callie, and Jonathan married Leslie (Penn) in 1999. They had four children, Ellie, Clara, Glory, and Judson. He worked as an electrician for his dad’s business until 2000. In 2000, John and Mary moved to Parker, South Dakota, to be with Mark and Amy, dragging Jonathan and Leslie along a few years after they graduated from college. They lived in a little house on 2 ^nd street for twenty-two years, and John worked for Turner Village and the City of Parker until his retirement in 2012.

John enjoyed camping, hiking, and the Rocky Mountains with his family. He spent time playing ball, woodworking, and working with his hands. He was never resting but always moving, or doing something, always enjoying every small moment. But most importantly, John and Mary created a legacy of Christ-following disciples, beginning with their children, grandchildren, and now, their one great-grandchild (Keith). John lived in the Lord, setting an example for generations to come. He started a legacy that will not fade, for the Word of the Lord does not fade away. John always went above and beyond in what he did, helping and loving unconditionally. He lived what he believed and loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and cherished his thirteen grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his adoring his bride of fifty-four years.

Because of his example and faithfulness to the Lord, his descendants boldly walk the narrow way, serving God in all they do. John’s quiet way encouraged friends and touched many lives, and he can rest knowing that he lived a life of love in the Lord, a love that is passed down and will continue to be passed down through generations. His greatest wish was that all whom he came into contact with would know the everlasting, all-consuming love of Christ. He prayed that God’s children would fellowship with one another and that those who did not know Christ would come to know his cleansing power and redemption from sin, as 1 John 1:7, always a beloved verse of John, says. “If you do not yet have eternal salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ, know that He loves you and sacrificially died on the cross, rose again three days later, and defeated death so that you may have that eternal life with Him. Believe in Him, and you will be saved.”

Pop laid down his many crowns at the Lord’s feet on March 18 at 12:03 A.M. His family has hope that they will see him again one day, happy and whole. Praise God for John’s life, and in his passing, may many hearts be reminded of his love and faithfulness to the Lord. He will be greatly missed.