Emmett Keller

Emmett Robbins Keller, formerly of LaCygne, Kansas passed away on Monday June 18, 2007 at the Life Care Center in Osawatomie. Emmett was born to David and Marietta Hadsell Keller on June 19, 1918 in rural Foster, Missouri. He grew up on a farm near LaCygne, Kansas graduating from LaCygne High School in 1937. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1958 and his Master of Science in 1962, both from Pittsburg State University. On June 8, 1952, Emmett Married Elsie May LaMaster of LaCygne, and they made their home on the Keller farm by LaCygne until November of 2005. For the remainder of his life, Emmett lived in Vintage Park and the Life Care Center in Osawatomie. The Kellers also lived in Osawatomie from 1961 to 1980, where in addition to being a husband and father of five children, Emmett was the grade school principal of the West Elementary School. Prior to moving to Osawatomie, Emmett taught at Brush College, Star Valley School, LaCygne, Jewel, Pleasanton, and Mound City. He retired from education in June 1980, after forty years of being a teacher, coach, and principal. After almost eighty-nine years on earth, Emmett was welcomed home by his heavenly Father. Emmett loved children and always had a special surprise in his shirt pocket for his grandchildren when they came to visit. He also loved the outdoors and spent much of his time with his pecan trees and cattle. Emmett is survived by five children, thirteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren: Ned (Judy) Keller of Grand Rapids, MI and their daughters Amy of Wheaton, IL and Jessica of Fort Worth, TX; Jeannie (Loren Dean) Rogers of Moorhead, MN and their children Melissa (David) Wolff and Elliot of Osawatomie, KS and Matthew Rogers and his son Chance of Lawton, OK; Sheri (Bruce) Money of Fergus Falls, MN and their sons Luke, Joe and Erik; Nancy (Jim) Fanning of Dexter, KS and their daughters Sarah (Zach) Massey of Chicago, IL and Tracy and Laura of Dexter; Mike (Kimberly) Keller of Cheney, KS and their children Payton, Reece and Avery - one sister, Evelyn (Keller) McCoach of Belton, MO and many nieces and nephews. His parents, sixteen siblings, and his beloved wife, Elsie, preceded him in death. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Saturday June 23, 2007 at the Calvary Baptist Church in LaCygne, Kansas. Burial will be in the Star Valley Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 PM Friday at the Coffel-Schneider Funeral Home in LaCygne. A prayer service will be held at 7 PM. The family suggests contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church. On-line condolences for the family can be left at www.coffelschneider.com Arrangements: Coffel-Schneider, LaCygne, Kansas.