Wilbert Keller

Obituary



Wilbert Dean Keller, age 93 of Ellis, Kansas passed away Thursday, December 31, 2020 at the Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Kansas. He was born May 3, 1927 on the family farm in Ellis County, Kansas. He graduated from Ellis High School in 1945. On October 16, 1947 he married Fern Nadine Zerfas at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Fern preceded Wilbert in death on April 3, 2017.

Wilbert was a lifelong Ellis County farmer and stockman. He was a past member of St. John Lutheran Church, current member of Christ Lutheran Church and he was a very active member in both. He was a US Army veteran of WWII and was the last WWII veteran in Ellis. He was a lifetime member of the Ellis VFW having served as commander and the American Legion and also a member of the Sunflower Polka Club. Wilbert and Fern had led many wedding marches and he enjoyed gardening and fishing.

Survivors include his daughter, Twila Large of Ellis; two sons, Tim Keller and wife Aleta and Danny Keller and fianc, Verda Flinn all of Ellis; seven grandchildren, Christine Large, Heidi Fawcett and husband Matt all of Phoenix, Arizona, Meredith Keller and companion Marlin Sherfick of Ellis, Rachel Armbruster and husband Kobe of Paxico, Kansas, Laycie Haas and husband Todd of Antonino, Kansas, Emily Burd and husband Shaun of Ellis and Katelyn Steffens and husband Erik of Dighton, Kansas as well as 12 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Faye Jean Keller; two brothers, Arnold and Herman Keller as well as a sister, Adeline Fabrizius.

Due to COVID-19 concerns if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on-line guestbook to share your condolences. Social distancing and wearing masks are suggested by family at the visitation and funeral services.

Services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, January 5, 2020 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ellis with military honors courtesy of the Ellis VFW Honor Guard and the Hays VFW Honor Guard. Services will be live streamed Tuesday, January 5, 2020 at 10 AM on the Christ Lutheran Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Christ-Lutheran-Church-111688785534530

Visitation will be Monday 6 PM 8 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM and 9 AM until service time all at Christ Lutheran Church.

Arrangements in care of Keithley Funeral Chapel 400 E. 17th Ellis, KS 67637

Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, Ellis, or the Ellis VFW. Contributions made payable to the organization may be sent to Keithley Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, KS 67601

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com



















Services







Visitation Monday

January 4, 2021

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Christ Lutheran Church

106 E. 8th

ellis, ks 67637









Prayer Service Monday

January 4, 2021

7:00 PM

Christ Lutheran Church

106 E. 8th

ellis, ks 67637









Funeral Service Tuesday

January 5, 2021

10:00 AM

Christ Lutheran Church

106 E. 8th

ellis, ks 67637