Alan R. Keirn, Class of 1965
Alan R. Keirn, 80, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Dublin Methodist Hospital. Alan "Al" was born March 28, 1943, in Massillon OH to Dr. Arthur Keirn and Mary Keirn Richey. He married Rosanna Hurley on November 20, 1966. She survives as do five children: Heather (J) Keirn-Swanson of Berea, OH, Holly (Todd) Hall, John (Kelly) Keirn, all of Marysville OH, Laura (Brian) Keirn-McCreanor of San Diego CA, and David (Andrea) Keirn of Chicago IL. He has eight grandchildren: Paige and Brody Hall, Alaina and Jyoti Keirn-Swanson, Max and Weston Keirn, Jennings and Tennyson McCreanor. A son, Brett Andrew, was stillborn in 1970. Al is also survived by a brother, David (Saralee) Keirn, Tucson AZ, and special friends Mike and Gene Farley. Al graduated from Hudson High School and Muskingum College. He began teaching at Indian Lake Jr. High School in Lewistown OH. He then taught at West Liberty-Salem where he was also a coach. He coached wrestling, girls' track, and girls' cross country, in which he had a state cross country champion. After retiring from teaching, he worked for Ridgemont Schools as a night janitor and as a substitute teacher during the day. He really enjoyed his year as the substitute shop teacher for Ridgemont. Al was a member of the First Christian Church, Bellefontaine for 57 years where he served first as a deacon and later as an Elder. He taught a variety of Sunday school classes from 5th-grade to adults for 50 years. During the summer VBS program, he directed the recreational time for the children. In 2022, he was named an Elder Emeritus. Al also served as church custodian for several years. Through the years, he has enjoyed Monday morning coffee chats with Bob Notestine and Joe Smucker.