1929
Ansel Keith Vaughn
2025
Ansel "Keith" Vaughn
August 16, 1929 — February 20, 2025
Rushville
Ansel "Keith" Vaughn, 95, of rural Rushville, IL went to his heavenly home, at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, February 20, 2025, at The Grove Health and Rehab Center in Jacksonville, IL.
He was born on August 16, 1929, on the family farm near Camden, IL, the son of Melvin and H. Hazel (Anderson) Vaughn. He married Bonnie Bartlow on August 22, 1953, at the Rushville Free Methodist Church. After 66 years, she preceded him in death on October 4, 2019.
Keith attended Camden School but attended his senior year at Augusta High School, in 1947. He grew up on a busy farm helping his father and brothers, participating in 4-H, and growing especially fond of horses. As early as high school, he along with brother, Eldon, started a business raising and selling turkeys which continued for over twenty years. In 1951, he was drafted into the military service during the Korean War and spent two years in the army in Okinawa, Japan.
He was a life long farmer of livestock and grain on a farm south of Camden. In 1970, Keith and Bonnie started Vaughn‘s Fresh Air Vacation Farm, which notably hosted the young celebrity "Jody" from the then, current popular TV show, Family Affair. This publicity helped the vacation farm thrive for many years. Keith was a member and supporter of both the Camden Methodist Church and the Rushville Free Methodist Church, serving many years on committees and leadership roles, including teaching Sunday School. He was also a strong supporter of the Free Methodist Campground. He and Bonnie gave much of their time and treasure to expand the camp facilities and ensure its "life-changing" mission. He served on the Schuyler County School Board for four years. Keith enjoyed exploring the USA in the family RV, cruising to other countries, traveling to the Dominion Republic with a mission team and wintering in warm Tucson where he and Bonnie spent quality time with grandchildren. In recent years, he has been able to fly out West and get to know his great-grandchildren. They like sitting on his lap and pulling out all the interesting items from the front pouches of Great-Grandpa's bib overalls.As a Korean veteran, Keith felt privileged to experience the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his brother, Eldon, and many other Veterans.Throughout his Christian walk, he was a prayer warrior and voice for Christ.
Surviving are children: Brenda Boyd (Craig) of Jacksonville, IL; Jim Vaughn (Nancy) and Linda Arnold (Mike) of Tucson, AZ. Grandchildren: Emily Albaugh (Travis) of Gilbert, Arizona; Aaron (Melissa) Vaughn of Wenatchee, Washington; Jennifer (Jon) Christie of Brentwood, California; Kevin (Mary) Arnold of Bigfork, Montana. Great-Grandchildren: Avery and Paige Albaugh, Blair and Jovi Vaughn, Neil and Evan Christie; Brother: Eldon Vaughn; Brother-in-Law: Gene Ralston, Sister-in-Law: Shirley Bartlow and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant; Brothers: Sterling and Willard; Sisters: Maxine Sargent, Dorothy Small, Vivian Vaughn, and Shirley Ralston; Brother-in-laws: Henry Sargent, Bob Small, Byron Bartlow, and Vernon Chute; Sister-in-laws: Esther Vaughn Abbott, Irilla Vaughn, Irene Vaughn, and Norma Chute; two nieces and two nephews.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Triplett & Wood Funeral Home, 900 W. Wilson St., Rushville, IL. Funeral services honoring Keith's life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Hope Church - A Free Methodist Community, 217 S. Liberty St., Rushville, IL. with Pastor Craig Coulter of Tucson, AZ officiating. Interment will follow at the Rushville City Cemetery. Memorial suggestions: New Life Christian Camp, 11257 Old Macomb Rd., Rushville, IL 62681, Hope Church, or any charity of choice. You are invited to share your memories of Keith, leave condolences and view his memorial video at www.triplettwood.com.
He was born on August 16, 1929, on the family farm near Camden, IL, the son of Melvin and H. Hazel (Anderson) Vaughn. He married Bonnie Bartlow on August 22, 1953, at the Rushville Free Methodist Church. After 66 years, she preceded him in death on October 4, 2019.
Keith attended Camden School but attended his senior year at Augusta High School, in 1947. He grew up on a busy farm helping his father and brothers, participating in 4-H, and growing especially fond of horses. As early as high school, he along with brother, Eldon, started a business raising and selling turkeys which continued for over twenty years. In 1951, he was drafted into the military service during the Korean War and spent two years in the army in Okinawa, Japan.
He was a life long farmer of livestock and grain on a farm south of Camden. In 1970, Keith and Bonnie started Vaughn‘s Fresh Air Vacation Farm, which notably hosted the young celebrity "Jody" from the then, current popular TV show, Family Affair. This publicity helped the vacation farm thrive for many years. Keith was a member and supporter of both the Camden Methodist Church and the Rushville Free Methodist Church, serving many years on committees and leadership roles, including teaching Sunday School. He was also a strong supporter of the Free Methodist Campground. He and Bonnie gave much of their time and treasure to expand the camp facilities and ensure its "life-changing" mission. He served on the Schuyler County School Board for four years. Keith enjoyed exploring the USA in the family RV, cruising to other countries, traveling to the Dominion Republic with a mission team and wintering in warm Tucson where he and Bonnie spent quality time with grandchildren. In recent years, he has been able to fly out West and get to know his great-grandchildren. They like sitting on his lap and pulling out all the interesting items from the front pouches of Great-Grandpa's bib overalls.As a Korean veteran, Keith felt privileged to experience the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. with his brother, Eldon, and many other Veterans.Throughout his Christian walk, he was a prayer warrior and voice for Christ.
Surviving are children: Brenda Boyd (Craig) of Jacksonville, IL; Jim Vaughn (Nancy) and Linda Arnold (Mike) of Tucson, AZ. Grandchildren: Emily Albaugh (Travis) of Gilbert, Arizona; Aaron (Melissa) Vaughn of Wenatchee, Washington; Jennifer (Jon) Christie of Brentwood, California; Kevin (Mary) Arnold of Bigfork, Montana. Great-Grandchildren: Avery and Paige Albaugh, Blair and Jovi Vaughn, Neil and Evan Christie; Brother: Eldon Vaughn; Brother-in-Law: Gene Ralston, Sister-in-Law: Shirley Bartlow and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant; Brothers: Sterling and Willard; Sisters: Maxine Sargent, Dorothy Small, Vivian Vaughn, and Shirley Ralston; Brother-in-laws: Henry Sargent, Bob Small, Byron Bartlow, and Vernon Chute; Sister-in-laws: Esther Vaughn Abbott, Irilla Vaughn, Irene Vaughn, and Norma Chute; two nieces and two nephews.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Triplett & Wood Funeral Home, 900 W. Wilson St., Rushville, IL. Funeral services honoring Keith's life will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Hope Church - A Free Methodist Community, 217 S. Liberty St., Rushville, IL. with Pastor Craig Coulter of Tucson, AZ officiating. Interment will follow at the Rushville City Cemetery. Memorial suggestions: New Life Christian Camp, 11257 Old Macomb Rd., Rushville, IL 62681, Hope Church, or any charity of choice. You are invited to share your memories of Keith, leave condolences and view his memorial video at www.triplettwood.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ansel "Keith" Vaughn, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Upcoming Services
Visitation
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
4:00 - 6:30 pm (Central time)
Triplett & Wood Funeral Home
Funeral Service
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
10:30 - 11:30 am (Central time)
Hope Church-A Free Methodist Community
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