Keith Vail
McClellandtown
Iden “Keith” Vail, of McClellandtown, passed away peacefully, in his home, Monday, April 28, 2025, with loving family by his side. He was born October 30, 1941, in Uniontown, a son of the late Edward H. Vail and Elizabeth H. Hough Vail.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Anna Mary Boyd Vail; and his grandparents, Charles and Josephine Hough, and Iden and Violet Vail.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 22 years, Brenda Mitchell Vail; his daughter, Christiana Vail-Scandrol and husband William L. Scandrol, Jr. and two grandchildren, Trenton Scandrol and Caileigh Scandrol.
He graduated from Uniontown Area High School, attended MIT in Boston, and has a degree from Waynesburg University.
After graduation, he worked as superintendent at Menallen Coke Company for Max Noble.
In 1965, he married Anna Mary Boyd and together they ran the farm and were active life-long members of the New Salem Presbyterian Church, where Keith served in many capacities, including deacon, trustee, elder, and youth leader. In 1978, he became an Authorized Lay Minister in the Redstone Presbytery and has filled the pulpit in many of its churches throughout the years.
In the mid ’70s, he took over the farm, which has been in his family since 1900. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau for many years, serving as president for Fayette County and state representative to Senator John Heinz. He was also affiliated with the Fayette County Wool Association and the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Agency.
Keith loved spending time with his grandchildren and spent hours discussing artifacts with his grandson or altering his granddaughter’s clothing. His math skills were invaluable during Virtual Learning.
He was respected in the community for his knowledge of the land and its resources and historical data of the area and its people. He loved farming and raising animals and has always been the shepherd for his sheep. Perhaps you may have noticed newly shorn sheep in the field in May. With a good clipper and a cooperative sheep, he could get the job done in 7 minutes. This gentle man of God, who could fix just about anything, will be deeply missed by many.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, in the DEARTH FUNERAL HOME, 35 South Mill Street, New Salem, PA 15468. Visitation continues from 10 until the funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, in The New Salem Presbyterian Church. Interment to follow in Salem View Cemetery.
A special thanks to the Uniontown Amedisys Hospice, specifically Sara, Rhianon and McKenna.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made, in Keith’s memory, to the New Salem Presbyterian Church, 27 South Mill Street, P.O. Box 455, New Salem, PA 15468; or in Keith and Anna Mary’s memory to: American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116.