LIONEL NEAL “JACK” KELLER
LIONEL NEAL ‘JACK’ KELLER
Lionel Neal ‘Jack’ Keller, age 85, of Grand River, Iowa was born November 20, 1927 in Decatur county, Iowa and died January 12, 2013 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Jack was raised by his father and grandmother, Neal and Halsie Keller. Jack attended Grand River schools into the 12th grade. Jack developed an interest in electronics in high school and took a correspondence course in radio and television repair. He started his own business, Keller Radio and TV, in the 1940s and continued until five years ago. Jack’s full service included repairing radios and televisions, sales and service and putting up antennas. His shop was attached to his home north of Grand River and he had many customers throughout Decatur, Ringgold and Clarke counties. Jack liked his work and kept up with changing technology. Over the years he mentored several local students in helping with ‘whatever needed to be done’ — assisting in the shop, roofing or digging a basement.
Jack volunteered at the radio station in Knoxville and Pella, Iowa for 10 years and he had a good following of listeners. He donated his equipment and time for many night programs and most Sundays. Throughout his life Jack studied his Bible and liked talking about it. In his home were over a dozen different Bibles and concordances.
Jack enjoyed visiting with people. The Grand River community, including the Mike and Sherry Shields families, was Jack’s family and helped him in many ways. Jack was able to remain in his own home until six months ago.
Through the years Jack enjoyed raising beautiful roses and was a registered rose grower with the American Rose Society. He hauled tons of sand (by the bucket) from the river up to his rose beds. Jack had 60 hybrid tea roses and many people stopped to admire them. Jack also loved birds and watching his hummingbird feeders and wren houses from the big picture window in his home. His cows were his pets, coming when he called and eating tomatoes Jack grew just for them. A big Chicago Cubs fan, Jack made several trips to Chicago to see games.
Preceding Jack in death were his grandmother and his father, Neal, who Jack cared for until Neal’s death.
Jack’s survivors are his Grand River friends and community members.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2013, at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa with Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Visitation opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the family greeting friends 10-11 a.m. Burial will be in Grand River Cemetery in Grand River, Iowa.
