Keith Wayne Splane, 67, of Chanute, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Keith was born on April 5, 1958, in Chanute, the youngest son of John C. Splane and Alice L. (Brown) Splane.
Keith attended high school before withdrawing from school in 1975 to help his parents with their oil company, Splane Pulling and Roustabout Service Inc. Through hard work, determination, and natural mechanical talent, Keith not only operated and managed the company but helped it evolve and thrive. His bold engineering mindset led him to design and hand-build an innovative machine known as “Plugger One,” capable of performing the work of two machines at once. His ingenuity and leadership helped make Splane Pulling and Roustabout Service Inc. one of the most respected oil service companies in Southeast Kansas for many years, until his retirement in 2020.
Keith enjoyed making memories with his family, riding his Harleys, racing, tinkering with cars and machinery, fishing, engineering new ideas, and simply being wild. He embraced life fully and will forever be remembered as strong, driven, family-oriented, loving, and free spirited.
Keith is survived by his daughter Airika M. Splane of Chanute; his sister Janet L. (Splane) Wilson of Peoria, Arizona; his nephew Thomas C. Wilson of Peoria, Arizona; his niece Jessica L. Wilson of Stafford, Arizona; and his uncle Sammy J. Splane of Chanute.
Keith is reunited in death with his father, John C. Splane; his mother, Alice L. Splane; and his brother, Gary C. Splane. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home in Chanute, Kansas. A graveside service for close friends and family will follow on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Altoona Cemetery in Altoona, Kansas. Memorials have been suggested to the Splane family to assist with funeral expenses and to support family members facing health challenges, in honor of Keith’s devotion to his family. Memorial contributions may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh. com. Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland. Chanute, KS 66720.
