Orville Valentine Kies, 72, of Keokuk, IA, died of complications from cardio pulmonary disease on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA. He was born on May 12, 1935 in Hazelton, IA, the son of Valentine Joseph and Amanda Bertha Schmitt Kies. Orville grew up in Maynard and worked as a farm hand throughout junior high and high school. He enlisted in the Air Force in December 1954 and served in the Air Force's Strategic Air Command for four years. He married Doris Lucille Kennon on August 11, 1957 in Oelwein, IA. Upon discharge from the Air Force he moved to Charles City, IA and worked at White Farm Equipment from 1958 – 1993. He then worked for GMT in Waverly, IA until 1999. Orville also farmed until 1995. In 2002, upon Doris's retirement, they moved to Keokuk to be near their children and grandchildren. Orville enjoyed golfing, reading Louis L'Amour novels, doing Suduko puzzles, watching his grandchildren grow up, providing play by play commentaries on golf and the Iowa Hawkeyes. The past four years he spent several hours each day researching his family's genealogy. Those celebrating his life include his wife, Doris of Keokuk, his children and their families, Lora, Jim and Brandon Wolff of Keokuk, Philip, Susie, Jacob and Nicole Kies of Cincinnati, OH, Bryan, Lori, Chelsea and Kelby Kies of Keokuk, Scott, Sue, Alex, Zach, Megan and Ian Kies of St. Paul, MN, and Eric & Laura Kies of Davenport, IA. Other survivors include his siblings, Casey Kies, June Rafferty, Joyce McArtor and Dale Kies. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Dylan Kies, his parents, and siblings, Francis Adams, Velda Miller, Esther Vargason, Chuck Kies and Jean Kromminga. A service of celebration was held at 3 p.m., Monday at the First Christian Church in Keokuk with Reverend Geoffrey Mitchell officiating. Burial with military rites followed in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in rural Keokuk. A Memorial was established for the First Christian Church's Week of Compassion.