Lester H. Keller age 85 of Jasper died at 10:22 a.m. Thursday (September 23, 2004) in the
Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper. He was born in Martin County Indiana on December 26, 1918 to William and Katherin
(Baer) Keller. He married Sylvia Eldena Hembree on April 8, 1947 at the Emanuel Hill
Lutheran Church at Dubois, Indiana. Lester Keller was a WWII Army Veteran serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater in
Southern Philippines, Luzon and New Guinea, he was the recipient of the Purple Heart
and the Silver Star Medal and the National Defence Service Medal. He attained the rank
of Sergeant serving in the 152nd Infantry Division. He retired form Kimball International in 1984 and also owned and operated his family
farm in Martin County. His memberships include St. John’s Lutheran Church at the Dubois Crossroads where he
served on the church board for several years., Life member of the V.F.W. Post # 673, Life
member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Purple Heart and the American
Legion Post # 147. Surviving is his wife Sylvia of 57 years.
1 son, Terry Keller, Santa Claus, IN
2 daughters,
Mrs. Mark “Cynthia” Hewitt, Shoals, IN
Yvonne Keller, Jasper, IN
3 grandchildren - 3 great grandchildren
Preceding him in death are 1 brother and 2 sisters, Willo Keller and Viola Coleman and
Elfrieda Kieffner. Funeral services for Lester Keller will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday (September 26, 2004)
in St. John’s Lutheran Church at the Dubois Crossroads with burial to follow in the
church cemetery. The Rev. Reuben Evenson will officiate.
V.F.W. Post # 673 in Jasper will conduct Military Grave Side Rites. Friends may call from 2-8 p.m. Saturday at the Becher - Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper
and one hour before services at the church on Sunday. The Disable American Veterans will hold a memorial service at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the
funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church.