Emmett C Keller

Emmett C Keller, age 89, a lifetime Fredonia resident died September 26, 2009. He was born June 3, 1920 in Fredonia, the second of two sons of William Edgar and Vennie (Meadows) Keller. His brother, Max preceded him in death. Emmett had a humble upbringing during the great depression. He grew up one mile west of Fredonia and as a child he helped his dad milk dairy cows and deliver milk. He graduated from Fredonia High School in 1939. On June 15, 1941 he married Marjorie Faye Woods. They were happily married for 55 years until her death on December 23, 1996. Emmett served in U.S. Army in WWII from 1942 to 1946 as a member of the 340th Engineer General Service Regiment. During his service, this regiment constructed the Alcan Highway along with air strips, bridges, and harbors in several Pacific islands. Following the war, he was part owner of a service station and worked at General Portland Cement Plant from 1951 to 1982 and raised cattle for many years, retiring from that vocation in 1990. On January 17, 2004 he married Mildred Odell and she survives at the home. He is also survived by one daughter Jolinda Ward and her husband, Bruce of Manhattan Kansas; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Other survivors include one stepson, Steve Odell and his wife, Gina of Fredonia, Kansas; one stepdaughter, Debra Rush and her husband, Mike of Prairie Village, Kansas; five step-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren. Emmett"s favorite pastime was music. He played the mandolin, fiddle, and banjo and most recently enjoyed entertaining during church activities, and for residents at local nursing homes, and assisted living centers. He enjoyed antiquing and accumulated an extensive collection of cast iron banks, food grinders, coins, and game plates. He enjoyed reading Western and Native American books and had a large collection of Louis L"Amour novels. He and Mildred travelled extensively and toured throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Whenever they travelled, they always returned home with a refrigerator magnet souvenir of the states visited. They enjoyed playing dominos with their friends twice a week and also enjoyed dancing. Emmett was known for his great sense of humor and always had a funny story or joke to tell. He was an honest, loving, and very caring person and found pleasure in giving of himself to help others. He was a man of strong faith and a member of the First Christian Church. He loved the great outdoors and established "Redbud Canyon" in 2003 as a special getaway place for family and friends to enjoy. While mourning him, we take comfort in celebrating his extraordinary passion for life; a life well lived. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Fredonia City Cemetery with Rev. Jim Bell of the First Christian Church officiating. Friends may call at Timmons Funeral Home on Tuesday, 2:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M., with the family receiving friends 5:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Fredonia or Horizon Hospice and left in care of the funeral home. Words of condolence for the family may be left on this website. Timmons Funeral Home, PO Box 168, Fredonia, Kansas, 66736, is in charge of the arrangements.