James 'Don' Donald Keeler

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

June 3, 1918--Feb. 9, 2006

LINCOLN -- James "Don" Donald Keeler passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2006, at Haven Manor in Lincoln. He was 87 years old.

He was born June 3, 1918, in Fairmont to James B. and Hannah A. (Davis) Keeler. He attended a country school in Filmore County and then graduated from Fairmont High in 1935.

He married JoEllyn Stromp on June 29, 1952. in Albion. To this union, three children were born. He owned and operated Keeler's House of Bottles in Culbertson for 29 years and he enjoyed traveling with his family.

He served in the United States Army during World War II, from June 1943 to October 1945. He had Basic Training at Camp Walters in Texas and at Camp Gruber in Oklahoma. He was shipped overseas to Iran where he spent two years and then spent seven months in France. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Tec 4 classification. He loved baseball which he was able to play in both Iran and France competing in tournaments in both countries.

He was a member of the Culbertson American Legion and past Commander of Moorhous-Steffen-Propp VFW Post No. 6219.

"Dad was an honorable man and a selfless and loving father."

He was preceded in death by parents; wife, JoEllyn in March 1999; sister, Alice Ritchey; and a brother, Kenneth Keeler.

Survivors include sons, Kenneth Keeler and wife, Barbara of Langhorne, Pa., and James A. Keeler and wife, Laurie of Lincoln; daughter, Janna Johansen and husband, Mark of North Platte; four grandchildren, Christopher Don Keeler and wife, Angela of Lancaster, Pa., Matthew Jon Keeler of Langhorne, Shannon Lea Keeler of Lincoln and James Benjamin Keeler of Lincoln; special sisters-in-law, Mary Jumps of Culbertson and Jean Bittner of Albion; and nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be given to the Disabled American Veterans.

Funeral services will be at Carpenter Breland Chapel on Friday, Feb. 17, at 9:30 a.m., with Jerry Beckenhauer officiating. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell at 11:30 a.m.

Visitation will be during regular business hours, today through Thursday.

Friends may sign his book at the funeral home or send condolences online at www.carpenterbreland.com.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.