Keith Jongeward
Sept. 20, 1925-April 20, 2021
Keith W. Jongeward, 95,
entered eternal rest on
Tuesday, April 20, 2021.
Loving son of the late
Cyrene R. and Ruby A.
(Nupen) Jongeward.
Beloved husband of the
late Joyce Jongeward for
65 years. Loving father of
Dr. Sandra Jongeward and
Candace (Terry) Schmidt;
loving grandfather of
Christina (Kurtis) Rohlf;
dear brother of Joan Bietz.
Keith is preceded in death
by his sister Josephine
Wise and two brothers,
Cyrene and Darrell Jonge-
ward. Cherished cousin,
uncle, and friend to many.
Keith will be dearly
missed by all who knew
and loved him.
Keith was born Sep-
tember 20, 1925 in Litch-
ville, ND. He graduated
from high school in Gales-
burg, ND in 1943 and en-
listed in the Navy. Keith
married his sweetheart,
Joyce, in 1945. He got his
BSBA degree from
Northwestern University
in 1946, and the
whirlwind life of travel in
the military began with
lots of bridge playing in-
volved.
CDR Jongeward proudly
and honorably served his
country in the United
States Navy during World
II, Korea, and Vietnam.
He received a Master in
Financial Management
from George Washington
University in 1962 and re-
tired from the United
States Navy in 1965 after
twenty-three years of ser-
vice. After retiring from
the military, he worked in
Illinois as a purchasing
manager at Fiat Allis
(Allis Chalmers) in Carol
Stream, Springfield, and
Deerfield until he retired
a second time in 1982.
Keith was a member of
the military organizations
Veterans of Foreign Wars,
Retired Officers Associa-
tion, and US Naval Insti-
tute and many bridge
clubs.
Keith and Joyce moved
to Chatham in 1972, and
he lived there for 45 years
developing many close
friendships with wonder-
ful people. Keith provided
his beautiful wife, Joyce,
with care, love, and sup-
port during her battle
with Alzheimer’s until
she preceded him in
death in 2010.
The graveside service
for Keith will be held in
Minot, ND at Rosehill
Memorial Park Cemetery
on Saturday, May 8, 2021
at 11 am.
Donations in lieu of
flowers can be made to
Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s
research, APDA, or Toys
for Tots.