JAMES PAUL KEYES, 70

East Liverpool – James Paul Keyes, 70, of Princeton Avenue in East Liverpool, passed away at 4:50 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Heritage Valley Beaver following a lengthy illness.

Born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, on August 6, 1947, he was a son of the late David and Alberta Eisenhower Keyes. He came to East Liverpool as a young man and remained here the rest of his life.

In addition to his parents he was preceded by his wife, Rachel V. Keyes on December 16, 2012. They were married in January of 1968.

Jim retired from the East Liverpool City Schools after a long career in the Janitorial Department of the high school. He attended the First Church of the Nazarene. As a young man Jim had a band with his brother called “Joe Keyes and the Rivermen”, the band later became known as “Jim Keyes and the Rivermen”.

Surviving are his children: a daughter Beth Cunningham and her husband, John, and a son Jeff and his wife, Kim, all of East Liverpool. There are five grandchildren: Josh Keyes, Sarah Keyes, Jacob Cunningham, Joseph Cunningham, and Rachel Cunningham.

A sister and two brothers also survive: Evelynn Bebout of West Virginia, Joseph Keyes of Kentucky, and Roy “Buster” Keyes of Wellsville. Jim also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents Jim was preceded by three sisters, Wanda, Betty and Jeannie, as well as two brothers, Robert and Jack Keyes.

Dr. Robert Sylvies of the church will conduct a memorial service at the Dawson Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Saturday. Friends and family will then gather at the Dawson family Center for a time of fellowship.