Joseph W. Keeler Sr., age 84, was born in Toledo, OH to the late William and Mary (Schiel) Keeler on April 12, 1930, and passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2014, with his children by his side. Joe was a 1947 graduate of Burnham High School in Sylvania. He served in the U.S. ArmyContinue Reading
Joseph W. Keeler Sr., age 84, was born in Toledo, OH to the late William and Mary (Schiel) Keeler on April 12, 1930, and passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2014, with his children by his side.
Joe was a 1947 graduate of Burnham High School in Sylvania. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Washington D.C.
Joe married the late Catherine J. Baker in December of 1951. They had eight children, Regina Keeler (Fondren) of St. Petersburg, FL, the late Debra Schoen (Ted) of Estero, FL, Joan Gomer of Cleveland, OH, Catherine O’Rourke (Kevin), of Lambertville, MI, Patricia Yates (William) of Louisville, KY, Joseph W. Keeler Jr. (Cindra) of Bryan, OH, Anthony Keeler of Temperance, MI, Donna (Simpson) Dulbs (Rick) of Temperance, MI.
Joe worked 5 years at Toledo Jeep, 27 years with Gulf Oil Corporation and 11 years as a rural letter carrier at the Temperance Post Office. Initially while at the post office as a substitute carrier, he also worked 2 years for Sharon Manufacturing. He went on to work full time with the U.S. Postal Service, ultimately retiring in 1994. From 1960 to 1977, the family also operated a produce stand in front of their home on Talmadge Road in Toledo, while simultaneously employed with Gulf Oil Corporation. Joe was transferred to Philadelphia, PA in 1977, at which time they had to give up the family produce business.
Upon his retirement from Gulf Oil in 1981, they returned to Temperance, MI, where he continued to enjoy farming on their 15 acres. Tractors were Joe’s hobby and passion. During this time, he has been an active member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Temperance.
Joe is also survived by their 28 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.
Joe was the second in a family of seven. Other surviving family members include his brothers, Gerald (Ellen) Keeler, and Robert (Sandra) Keeler; sister-in-law, Justine Keeler, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Catherine and daughter, Debra Schoen; parents, William and Mary Keeler; siblings, Leonard Keeler, Rita Schmerge (Dr. Jack Schmerge), Paul Keeler, Mary Margaret Dickens (Larry Howard), Ray Dickens.
His neighbors always enjoyed his lawn and garden expertise. Joe was an avid Indian’s fan, rarely missing the chance to watch or listen to their games. He enjoyed playing softball with family and was always up to a good practical joke with his favorite pet, “”the flipdigger.””
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2014, from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel, 8300 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, Michigan. The Funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Temperance, where the family will greet guests one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s of Assumption Cemetery.
The family suggests donations to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, or the Catholic American War Vets, Assumption, Ohio. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/toledoblade/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-keeler&pid=171977960&fhid=6282#sthash.jEbjFTcS.dpuf
Your condolence may need to be approved before it appears on this page. It may not appear immediately once submitted.
Thank you for leaving a condolence..
Your comment has been submitted for moderation.