Gilbert Elroy Keaton, 77, of Potosi died Jan. 3, 2017, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Mr. Keaton was the owner and operator of Gibb’s Esquire Lounge in Crystal City. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a member of American Legion Post 253. Born July 21, 1939, in Festus, he was the son of the late Lavella Catherine (Burgett) and Elvoid Leroy Keaton.
He is survived by his companion: Rhonda (McGuire) Walton of Potosi; a daughter: Amy (Kelvin) Cunningham of St. Louis; three stepdaughters: Wilma (Keith) Blanks of De Soto, Edith Walton of Jefferson City and Valerie (Benjamin) Davis of Jefferson City; a son: Tracy (Jamie) Keaton of Festus; two stepsons: Lyndell (fiancée Valerie Kaufman Leopold) Walton of Portland, Ore., and Ernest Walton of Potosi; a sister: Jacqueline (Robert) Pace of St. Louis; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Thomas “Wayne” Keaton.
Visitation is at 10 a.m. and a funeral service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main, in Festus, officiated by Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial with full military honors will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.