W. Francis “Pappy” Keller, 95, of Huntingdon, passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, 2023, at Penn Highlands Huntingdon.
Born April 15, 1928, in Kistler, he was a son of the late Walter A. Keller and Margaret (Stake) Keller Neary. He was united in marriage to the former Helen Beatrice (Kemp) July 30, 1947, at St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Huntingdon, by the Rev. Manges and the Rev. Sharp. Mrs. Keller preceded him in death Nov. 4, 2003, after 56 years of marriage.
He is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Ann (Keller) Payne, Huntingdon; four grandchildren, Robert Anthony “Tony” and wife, Jennifer (Eberle) Payne, Alexandria, Melanie Ann (Payne) and husband, Ronald Port Jr., Alexandria, Nicholas Antony and wife, Aubrey (Post) Payne, Huntingdon, and Joshua Aaron and wife, Abby (Gaisior) Payne, Petersburg; 16 great-grandchildren, Kyle and wife, Carrie, Colin, Rachael, Lauren and Gretchen Payne; John Robert II, Ian and Evan Hawn, Kaitlin and Ethan Port; Everett and Adelyn Payne; Maelyn and Katelyn Payne, Haidyn and Kendal Carlin; and two great-great-grandchildren, Cora and Lincoln Payne. He is also survived by a very special niece, Lynne (Hefright) Fireman of Florida, and several additional nieces and nephews.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family preceded in death by a brother, Donald Keller; and a sister, Patricia (Keller) Thompson.
Mr. Keller was a member of the Petersburg-Bethel Presbyterian Church, Petersburg.
He was a life member of the Standing Stone Post No. 1754, VFW, Huntingdon. He was also a longtime volunteer with the Huntingdon County Board of Elections, a volunteer driver for Huntingdon Meals-On-Wheels and assisted with the American Red Cross blood drives held at the Petersburg-Bethel Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Keller attended Mount Union and Huntingdon public schools and was a graduate of Huntingdon High School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and entered active duty May 1, 1944, serving aboard the USS Savannah during World War II. He was honorably discharged Feb. 17, 1946, attaining the rate of Seaman 2nd Class, and awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. He was called from inactive duty Nov. 3, 1950, to serve aboard the USS Worcester during the Korean War; and released from active duty Aug. 20, 1952.
Mr. Keller began his working career at the former C.H. Miller Hardware Co., Huntingdon. In the early 1950’s, he became employed with the United States Postal Service for 32 years where he held positions of postal clerk, mail sorter and mail carrier. He retired as postmaster of the Spruce Creek post office, after many years of service. Following his retirement, he worked part-time as a desk clerk at the Huntingdon Motor Inn for several years.
He was a sports enthusiast enjoying baseball, basketball and football. He was an avid Pittsburgh Pirates, Duke Blue Devils and Penn State Football fan, having been a former Penn State season ticket holder for many years. He was also a devoted Juniata Valley Hornets and Huntingdon Bearcats fan, where many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren played and coached various sports.
Mr. Keller will be remembered as a generous and kind man who cherished his family; loved spending time with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and supplying them with coin books. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors at his swimming pool with family, hunting in his earlier years, and having his Thanksgiving meals at Camp Randolph in Petersburg.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, at the Petersburg-Bethel Presbyterian Church, 5435 Bethel Road, Petersburg, with the Rev. Lori Danielson officiating. Friends will be received from 10 a.m. until the hour of service Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions in remembrance of W. Francis Keller may be made to the Petersburg-Bethel Presbyterian Church, 5435 Bethel Road, Petersburg, PA 16669.
To sign an online guest book and express condolences, visit www.johnbbrownfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the John B. Brown Funeral Home, 417 Washington St., Huntingdon.