Keith U. Waning, 87, of Hollis, passed away at the MaineGeneral Medical Center with his family by his side on the morning of Sept. 17. Born on Nov. 10, 1923, in Unity, he was the son of Urban C. and Marion (Durgin) Waning.
Mr. Waning spent most of his younger years in Newcastle, attending the Franklin School there. After he completed school, he went to work at Bath Iron Works where he worked on Liberty Cargo Ships.
In 1944, he joined the U.S. Army as part of the 45th Division, 180th Infantry. During the war, he served as a scout and he found himself crossing the German lines at night to find out what they were doing and what their next move would be. He then had to cross these lines again, usually under fire, and report back to his Sergeant.
He and other members of his infantry were liberators of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Mr. Waning remained in touch with one of the survivors of the camp, Gerda Haas, who has written several books about the holocaust. For his bravery, he received the Bronze Star Medal and the Presidential Citation as well as many other medals.
Upon his honorable discharge, he owned and operated an auto body shop in Laconia, N.H. He would eventually move to California for a short time, but returned to Maine and again had a body shop in Falmouth. He continued working on cars as a hobby, and for years would collect, restore and resell antique cars. Some of the vehicles he worked on found themselves on the cover of magazines or in a museum.
Keith was a wonderful dancer, and could often be found dancing at the Maine Veterans’ Home, where he had been living for the past seven months. He also had a life-long love for motorcycles.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Frances (Sawyer) Waning in 1973; as well as his brother, Sherman Waning.
He is survived by his daughters, Virginia Geroux of Jefferson, Linda McMurrin of South Carolina and Jeanannette Waning of Gray; grandchildren, Keith U. Waning II, Anthony J. Geroux, Wonda Dunton, Brenda Matthews, Sharon Culpeper and Robert Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Danielle A. Waning, Ashley L. Waning, Austin Keith Waning, Allen Culpeper, Thomas Strozzo, Zackery Jenkins and Abbey Jenkins; great-great grandchild, Braidyn Culpeper; and nieces and nephews, Urdan K. Waning, Joyce Waning, Rory Waning and Heidi Waning.
Visitation 12-1 p.m., Wed., Sept. 21 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta. Funeral will follow, also at the funeral home, at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest with military honors, at the Pine Knoll Cemetery in Newcastle.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14031, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
