Barbara Ann Keller's Obituary
Barbara Ann Keller, age 86, of Chanute, KS, passed away at Heritage Health Care surrounded by her family. Barbara was born November 18, 1928 in LaCygne, KS, the daughter of Frank and Georgia Henrietta “Henny” (Classen) Keller.
Barb graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1946. She then attended Pittsburg Teacher’s College in Pittsburg, KS, and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Barb taught P.E. in Coffeyville for ten years, and in 1960 moved to Chanute. She was known as “Coach” to the Chanute community as she was the first junior high girl’s track and volleyball coach in the area. She was also the director of the Royster Drum and Bugle Corp.
For 54 years, Barb was a counselor and waterfront director for Camp Waldemar in Hunt, TX where she is known as the “voice of the camp.” Barb was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Chanute Area Retired Teachers Association, and an active member of the Red Cross Blood Bank. The last blood drive was held in her honor. She was a USD 413 greeter and was active in many church activities.
Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Henny, aunts, Dorothy Dotts, Mary Frances Wilson, Jesse Ellen Byard, and uncle, John Classen, cousin, Bill Keller.
She is survived by her “beloved cousin,” Sujean Jeffries and husband Clifford of Middletown, RI, and their children, Laura, Jennifer and John, cousins, Jim and Martha Keller, Paul and Mary Keller, Sharon and Mike Eshleeman, Evelyn Keller, Donald Wilson, her dear friend, Helen Anderson and the Martin family.
Funeral Services are planned for Monday, March 16, 2015 at 10:30 a.m at the First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery in LaCygne, KS at 2:00 p.m. Barb has requested that memorials be left to the First United Methodist Church, SouthernCare Hospice or the charity of your choice, and may be left with the funeral home.
Countryside Funeral Home, Gibson Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
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