Dr. Keith Norman Schoville

OREGON - Dr. Keith Norman Schoville, 98, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Semitic Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founding pastor of Westwood Christian Church, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of faith, scholarship, and family devotion.

Keith was born on March 3, 1928, in a small house in the village area known as "The Flat" in Soldiers Grove, Wis., the second son of Harley Leonard and Viva Ruth (Banta) Schoville. He grew up during the hardships of the Great Depression, learning early lessons of resourcefulness, hard work, and deep family bonds alongside his brother, Arnold,

and younger siblings, Margaret and Richard. He attended the one-room Trout Creek School through the eighth grade and graduated from Soldiers Grove High School in 1945. Immediately following graduation, he answered the call to service, deploying with the U.S. Army to the Philippines until 1947, later continuing his military service in the Wisconsin National Guard, rising to the rank of sergeant.

On September 17, 1949, Keith married his true love, Merrlyn June Mitchell of Viroqua, Wis. Together, they shared an extraordinary 76-year partnership built on absolute commitment, shared faith, and mutual devotion. In their early years, while Merrlyn supported him, Keith pursued higher education, graduating from Vernon County Teachers College in 1951. He taught country elementary school in Vernon County before moving his family to East Tennessee, where he completed his undergraduate degree at Milligan College in 1956. While in Tennessee, he ministered to the Buffalo Valley Church of Christ.

Upon returning to Wisconsin, Keith served an interim ministry at First Christian Church of Madison before becoming the founding pastor of Westwood Christian Church in 1958. He mixed the mortar for the very bricks of the church building, serving the congregation dynamically for decades. To supplement his ministry, he taught elementary education in McFarland during the late 1950s.

Encouraged by his mentor, Prof. Menahem Mansoor, Keith entered graduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning his M.A. in 1966 and his Ph.D. in 1969. He joined the faculty in 1968, later serving as the Department Chair, an academic adviser, and the Director of the Faculty Advising Service and the SOAR program. Working in collaboration with Professor Mansoor, Keith conducted primary research on and co-authored the notable 1983 exhibition, Sign, Symbol, and Script: Origins of Written Communication and the Birth of the Alphabet. His elective course, Hebrew Literature in Translation-Biblical Period, was broadcast widely over WHA radio. A renowned biblical archaeologist, Keith traveled to Israel many times, leading student excavation teams to Tel Dan, Tel Lachish, and Tel Aroer. He authored the popular textbook Biblical Archaeology in Focus, was a major grant recipient and evaluator for the National Endowment for the Humanities, served as president of the Near East Archaeology Society and the National Association of Professors of Hebrew, and co-hosted "The Book and the Spade" radio program on WNWC for over 20 years.

In retirement, Keith shifted his focus back to his roots, meticulously maintaining the apple orchard at his country home near Oregon, Wis., and preserving the remnant of the historic Schoville family farm on Trout Creek.

Keith was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Merrlyn, on June 14, 2026; his parents, Harley and Viva Schoville; his brothers, Arnold and Richard; his sister, Margaret; and his niece, Kelley Raye.

He is survived by his five children, Kenneth (Pam) Schoville of Hazelhurst, Mary Lee (Bruce) Kissinger of Appleton (formerly of Kennewick, Wash.), Harley (Sandy) Schoville of Waterford/Milwaukee, John Schoville of Verona/Columbus, and Robert (Meltem) Schoville of Madison.

He loved and was devoted to his eight grandchildren, Sarah (Ash) Kyrie, Samantha (Zubeir) Haroun, Candace (Cody) Burckhardt, Jessi (Sarilis) Schoville, Erik Schoville, Ryan Schoville, Olivia Schoville, and Leonard Schoville; and his eight great-grandchildren, Finn, Ahimsa, and Mesa Kyrie; Callum Burckhardt; Ali and Selma Haroun; and Lawson and Isa Schoville. He is further survived by countless former students, colleagues, and brothers and sisters in Christ.

A funeral service will be held at WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 5210 Odana Road, Madison, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service, with details to be announced at the church.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be directed to the Westwood Christian Church. Online condolences may be shared at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

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(608) 835-3515