James R. Keller, 88, of West Lafayette, died at 4:55 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Lafayette. He had been a patient there since last Thursday and in failing health the past six months.

Born Oct. 9, 1920, in Owen County, he was the son of the late Fred and Harriette Buskirk Keller. His marriage was on April 26, 1943, in Milan to Sylvia M. Henderson, who survives.

Mr. Keller was a 1939 graduate of Solsberry High School and a 1954 graduate of Indiana Business College in Columbus.

He was employed at Starke County Farm Bureau Co-op in 1970 and worked there until his retirement in 1986. He worked at Farm Bureau Co-ops in Bartholomew, Carroll and Starke counties for a total of 31 years.

A World War II Army veteran, he was an artillery soldier and served in Germany and the European Theater.

He and his wife moved to Delphi in 1958 and resided there until 1970. They then spent 31 years in Starke County before moving back to the Buck Creek area for six years, then moving to West Lafayette.

Mr. Keller formerly belonged to the Delphi United Methodist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Knox VFW and American Legion. He was very active with the Starke County Council on Aging where he served on the board of directors, delivered Meals on Wheels and helped seniors with their taxes.

He coached Little League and was a Boy Scout leader.

Mr. Keller enjoyed gardening, fishing and mushroom hunting. He loved spending time with his wife, children and granddaughter.

Also surviving is a daughter, Diane Beall of Delphi; a son, James Keller (wife: Faith) of Fishers; a sister, Mary Ellen Hendricks of Whitehall; a brother, Ronnie Keller of Texas; and one granddaughter, Angela Rishel.

Preceding him in death were three brothers.

Visitation will be today, Wednesday, from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. at Abbott Funeral Home in Delphi. Pastor Micah Hudson will officiate. Burial will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Delphi.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer's Association. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be sent to abbottfuneralhome@ verizon.net.