Symon, Keith J.

Keith J. Symon, long-time resident of Wyoming Valley, beloved father, grandfather and partner, passed away on May 13th, 2025, aged 79, while working in the hills and woods that he loved.

He is survived by his children, Samantha (Isaac) Symon-Rabicoff and Stowe Symon; his grandsons, Jacob and Bran; his siblings, Judy (Jerry) Symon Hanson, Jim (Beth) Symon, and Rowena (Russ) Roske; his many nephews and nieces; and his partner of seven years, Sharon Button.  

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on August 9th, 2025, at Hilltop, 6447 Hilltop Rd, Spring Green. There will be a ceremony to share memories of Keith, followed by food and drinks. 

Keith and his siblings spent most of their childhood in Madison, Wisconsin. After traveling, attending college, and completing a tour in the Army Reserves Keith settled in the River Valley area where he became deeply involved in the community and local conservation efforts. When his parents purchased land in Wyoming Valley, Keith and his father put his exemplary carpentry skills to use building a beautiful hilltop home, which continues to be cherished by the fourth generation of his family. Keith continued to work as a fine-finish carpenter and enjoyed many years as a foreman teaching volunteers to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. 

In his spare time, he was an avid cyclist, participant in and supporter of local music and theatre, and expressed his artistry by building custom furniture and turning beautiful wooden bowls. 

Keith was greatly enamored of the ecology of southern Wisconsin and was a prominent figure in the local conservation and prairie restoration community. He spent many spring days on controlled burns with friends, and offered his years of experience teaching burn clinics to the next generation of land stewards.

With his love for animals, he became a farrier and shared his passion for horses with his partner, Sharon Button. Together, they expanded his involvement in conservation areas around her home in Harvard, IL. 

For many years, Keith served on the Wyoming Town planning commission, which was instrumental in facilitating American Players Theatre being located in the area. 

Keith's most recent preoccupation was spending time with his young grandsons, with whom he loved to share his love of nature, his work ethic, and his skill in fixing and making. 

Though Keith will be deeply missed, he lives on in his children and grandchildren, his partner Sharon, his dear friends and community, and the beloved woods and prairies he helped to shape. 

Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com

The Richardson-Stafford Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.