Col. Carl B. Keller Jr.

COL Carl B. Keller, Jr., age 89, of Petersburg, died September 5, 2012 at his home. He was born in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, a son of the late Carl B. Keller and Eileen Hepner Keller. A veteran of WWII, he received a direct commission in France. He remained in the Army for over 27 years serving in Korea, Germany, Iceland, and Vietnam. He served in numerous stateside assignments and retired from Fort Lee, Virginia in 1970, where he was Director of the Supply Career Department of the Quartermaster School. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. Upon retirement from the Army, he pursued a second career in real estate and established Keller Realty in 1975. He served as President of the Southside VA Board of Realtors and was awarded Realtor of the Year in 1979. He was a founding Director of the Community Bank and retired as President of the Board.

On retiring from real estate, he was active in volunteer work to include providing transportation for RSVP and delivering Meals on Wheels. In 1997 he was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award by the Crater District for the Aging.

He was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities including member of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Pastor Parrish/Staff Relations Committee and Head Usher.

He was a member of Powhatan Starke Lodge No. 124 A.F. & A.M., The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (both for over 50 years), Ft. Lee Richmond Chapter of National Sojourners (where he served as president) and James Mason Camp, Heroes of ’76 (where he served as Commander.) He was also a long time member of the Rotary Club of Petersburg, serving on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of several committees.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth Sharp Keller; son, Stephen Keller; daughters, Eileen and Suzanne Keller; daughter-in-law, Barbara Keller; son-in-law, Craig Williams; cherished granddaughters, Meredith Keller and Lauren Shue, and her husband, Jeff; great-granddaughter, Jackie Shue. Also, he is survived by brother, James Keller and his wife, Marie; and brother-in-law, Robert Lake. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M. on Friday September 7, 2012 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Service. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 11 A.M. on Saturday September 8, 2012 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Interment to follow at Southlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 225 Claremont Street, Petersburg, Virginia 23805 or Crater Community Hospice, 3916 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com