Keith Mell Buxton

Keith Mell Buxton, 95, passed into Heaven on October 26, 2023. Keith was born in Appleton on April 29, 1928 to the late Mell and Vera (Poole) Buxton.  

He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Buxton, his first wife, Joan Kienitz Buxton, and his second wife, Carole Wang Buxton. He is survived by his children: Bret (Pam) Buxton, Jane (Mark) Vandenberg, and Elise (a.k.a. Lisa) Buxton Nakano. He is survived by nine grandchildren: Christine (Brent) Erspamer, Tyler (Clara) Buxton, Samantha (Matt) Chybowski, Ryan Buxton (Jarod Webster), Emily Vandenberg (Phil Dobernig), Dellas Vandenberg, Stephanie (Brian) Fossum, Karen (Brandon) Alexander, and Amy (Derek) Schweitzer. He is survived by eight great-grandchildren: Bradley and Braeden Erspamer, Wren and Silas Buxton, Lola and baby due in February Chybowski, and Evangeline and Royce Fossum. He is also survived by his sisters in law Sharon Buxton & Ardes Smith.

In his youth, Keith was very involved in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He joined the Navy right after graduating from Appleton High School in 1946 and served for two years in the Mediterranean. He then attended Lawrence University in Appleton and then finished his degree in business at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he belonged to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After college he worked for an insurance company in Detroit and then Chicago. He eventually decided to take over his father’s part-time insurance agency and turned it into Buxton-O’Neill-Hellestad Insurance Agency, where he worked until he retired. 

Keith enjoyed spending time at the cottage and delegating tasks to whomever was near. He began a family tradition of yearly treks to Pinnacle Port in Panama City Beach, Florida that continues to this day with friends and family. He also enjoyed traveling to Europe, Japan, and various places in the United States. Keith took each of his nine grandchildren on a special trip of their choice. His pass times included fishing at the cottage in Shawano and playing bridge. He also belonged to the Wise Guys Investment Club for many years. He organized his high school class reunion for well over 50 years and spent time raising money for the Salvation Army (often ringing bells during the Christmas season with his grandchildren). Keith was an avid Packers and Brewers fan (he fired many coaches though out the years). He also enjoyed helping his three grandsons earn their rank of Eagle Scout.

Keith’s family would like to thank the special caregivers at Eagle Court Memory Care, especially for keeping his Cinnamon Toast Crunch bowl always full. We would also like to thank Matt at ThedaCare Hospice.

Visitation for Keith will take place at First United Methodist Church (325 E. Franklin St., Appleton, WI 54911) on Friday, November 3, 2023 from 9:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to:
•     Boy Scouts of America Bay Lakes Council
     2555 Northern Road 
               Appleton, WI 54914
•     Salvation Army
           130 E. North St.
    Appleton, WI 54911