05/14/2007

Notification of Death - John P. "Phil" Keller

May 8, 2007

OFDA received word this morning that John P. "Phil" Keller, 74, died the evening of Tuesday, May 8, at his residence. Mr. Keller was a 1956 graduate of The Cincinnati College of Embalming, where he won the Bowser award for highest achievement in Restorative Art. In 1956, he joined with his father George A. Keller, as partner in Keller & Son Funeral Home. He merged with Larry Koch in 1983, to form Keller-Ochs-Koch Funeral Home.

Surviving are wife Marlo L. Keller of 51 years; sons, Michael Charles Keller, George A. Keller II; daughters, Janet Louise Keller and Linda Lee Keller; grandchildren, Lindsey Keller, Sarah Keller, Elena, Samuel, and Carlos Jordan-Keller, and Abby Louise Lockard; step-grandchildren, Tiffany and Brittany Hilt and Michael Durden and 3 step-great-grandchildren.

Phil was a member and former Elder of First Presbyterian Church, The Brainard Masonic Lodge, Zenobia Shrine, the Elks, and the Fremont Country Club. He was a member of Fremont Rotary, where he obtained the Paul Harris Fellow Status in 2006, Past President of the Fremont Outing Club and Past President of Ross Boosters, a member of the NFDA and the OFDA, Chairman of the Elementary Football Program as well as a Coach at Lutz School for 20 years. Phil received the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in January of 1965. He was also a director at Croghan Colonial Bank since 1973.

He and Marlo spent a portion of 41 winters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They enjoyed traveling around Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, but enjoyed spending time with their many friends the most. Phil enjoyed buying old houses and restoring them, doing most of the work himself and with family. Phil loved spending time at Spiegel Grove where he ran or walked on a daily basis until recently. He also loved music, both classical and jazz and liked nothing better than listening to one of his many CD's while watching a football game with the television sound on mute.

The Keller-Ochs-Koch Funeral Home, 416 South Arch Street, Fremont 43420 handled the service; burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hayes Presidential Center, Hospice of Memorial Hospital, or Birchard Public Library.