Harold Keller

Harold E. Keller was born March 6, 1922 to John Albert and Lena Tena Schoen Keller on a farm near Cawker City, Kansas. He departed this life of 85 years and 19 days Sunday, March 25, 2007 at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas.

"Ham", as everyone knew him, moved to the Hunter area as a small child, attended the Blue Hill School and graduated from Hunter High School in the Class of 1942. He served briefly in the United States Army during World War II and received a medical discharge.

On January 28, 1951, he was united in marriage to Maribelle Jean Anderson at Glen Elder, Kansas. Two sons Ray and Max were born to this happy union and they made their home on a farm near Hunter. Throughout their married life, they also enjoyed traveling with friends and tours to many destinations across the country and even to Jamaica and Canada. In 2001, Harold and Maribelle were fortunate to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open-house at the church.

Frequently in overalls, Harold loved farming. At an early age he learned how to repair things, and worked for the Swinton Implement Company in Hunter as a mechanic. Always a good steward, Harold made the most of what he had. He especially looked forward to harvest and spent many happy summers doing custom wheat harvesting from Cherokee, Oklahoma to Mellette, South Dakota. During his career, he saw many changes in machinery and enjoyed collecting vintage farm implements and showing them in parades.

A rather quiet, quick to listen person, Harold's treasure was his family and community. Lighter moments were happiest spent listening to polka music. Always there for his grandchildren, he looked forward to spending time with them and attending their activities. He could repair just about anything and enjoyed sharing his mechanical talents with others. For several years, he and his friends enjoyed appearing in parades as the Beverly Hillbillies and he cherished playing the role of Jethro. Harold was a devoted servant of Trinity Lutheran Church and was the last surviving member of the building committee. He was a founding father of the Hunter Café Association and the Hunter Christmas Decoration project. Harold enjoyed helping friends, family, and the church whenever there was a BBQ, especially keeping an eye on the cooker at the Heiman-Keller family reunions.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, a 50 year member of the Hunter Lions Club and the Hunter American Legion Post 77. For many years, Harold was Custer Township Trustee and a member of the Greenwood Union Cemetery Board.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Leonard Keller and one sister Ruby Zimmerman.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Maribelle of the home, sons Ray Keller and wife Shelly of Sylvan Grove, Max Keller and wife Kally of Hunter; two brothers Richard Keller and wife Evelyn of Hunter, Melvin Keller and wife Grace of Belleville; one sister Dorothy Reiter and husband Felix of Hunter, five grandchildren and a host of many relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hunter with Pastor Gerald Radtke officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Union Cemetery at Hunter.

Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Church. Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home in Beloit.