Keith B. Crabtree, 81, of Lynden, was taken home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009.

A life-time Lynden resident, Keith was the son of Benjamin and Ruth (Frost) Crabtree and was born on March 22, 1928. He graduated from Lynden High School in 1946 and married Viola Karber on May 24, 1949. Keith worked as a field sales representative for many years, starting with Washington Co-Op, which became Western Farmers and then Land-O-Lakes. A member of Word of Life Church in Lynden, he enjoyed fishing, camping and traveling.

Mr. Crabtree is survived at home by his wife Vi; children Loren (Vickie) Crabtree of Sumas, Brent (Marcia) Crabtree of Lynden, Candace Corcoran of Hayden, Id., and Cara (Gary) Van Etten of Lynden; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brothers Jule Crabtree of Royal City, Wash., David (Doris) Crabtree and Vincent (Hazel) Crabtree of Lynden, sister-in-law Esther Pierson of Bellingham and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by his brother Ben Crabtree and sisters Ruth Miller and Elsie Englert.

Visitation was held from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 3, at Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden.

Burial was in Lynden Cemetery on Sat., Oct. 3, at 10 a.m., and was followed by a memorial funeral service at 11 a.m. in Word of Life Church, 1986 Main Street, Lynden.

Memorials in Keith’s name may be made to Gain Ministries, c/o Word of Life Church, 1986 Main St., Lynden, WA 98264, or to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.