Others Magazine

Major Keith Stinton was promoted to glory on Monday 28 December 2020 peacefully from his home at Gorrinn Village, Ararat, (Vic). He was a week shy of his 94th birthday.

Keith Albert L Stinton entered The Salvation Army Training College in Melbourne in 1952 from Carlton Corps (Vic.) as a member of the Intercessors session of cadets. In this same session was a lovely young lass named Beverley Dawson from Tasmania, who would become Keith’s wife.

Commissioned in 1953, Keith was appointed to Sheffield (Tas.) and then 12 months later to Hobart Boys Home. In December 1954, Keith and Beverley were married and in May 1955 they were appointed to Box Hill Boys home for five months, Maidstone Corps (Vic.) for three months, during which time Bronwyn was born, and then Ascot Vale Corps (Vic.) in 1956. They then spent two years at Victor Harbour Corps (SA) during which time Lloyd arrived. In 1959, Keith, Beverley and their two children relocated to Tasmania to take up appointments, first at Scottsdale Corps (1959) and then at Ulverstone Corps (1960), before returning to Victoria and corps appointments at Sale (1961-2), Norlane (1963-4) and Colac (1965).

In 1966, the family relocated to South Australia to Goodwood Corps (1966-7) and then Elizabeth Corps (1968-9) being their final corps appointment, as in 1970 the family returned to Victoria for an appointment at the People’s Palace, Melbourne, an appointment that they held for nearly 10 years. They were then appointed to the Finance Department at Territorial Headquarters in December 1979 and then Keith was appointed manager of 69 Bourke Street in 1984. In November 1987, Keith was appointed as the building manager at State Headquarters (Vic.) and nine months later to the Public Relations Department (Vic.) where he stayed until retirement on 1 February 1992 after 39 years of faithful service.

In retirement, Keith served as a member of the veteran’s band for a time. After a move to country Victoria, Keith occupied his time working on his stamp collection, reading and indulging his love of crosswords and other puzzles. Ill health prevented him from going out as much as he would have liked but when he was able, he enjoyed talking to the people he met. In this way he was able to continue his ministry and witness for the Lord.

Our love, sympathy and prayers are with Major Beverley, Bronwyn and Don, Lloyd and Jayne, the grandchildren, as well as the many friends honouring Keith’s life. May God bring comfort to those who mourn his passing, confident in the knowledge that Keith is now with his Lord and Master.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; Guide me in your truth and teach me
For you are God my Saviour,
And my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25: 4-5)