David C. Keller

After more than a century of a life well-lived, David Chester Keller passed away on June 13, 2021. He was a man who had a zest for life and lived every day to the fullest. He spent his life in service to his family and community and was a friend to all. He married Mary Bernadine Smith in 1949 and was a devoted husband until Bernadine’s death in 2013. David’s family was central to his life, raising three children. For over forty-five years, he owned and operated the Belle Center Grain Company until his retirement in 1990.

David is survived by his children, Ann Christine Keller Hillman (Michael and grandchildren David Philip and Hanna Keller Hillman), Mary Laura Keller Schoeler (Richard and grandchildren, Christina Ann Schoeler Fischer (Paul and great grandchildren Mira and Clark) and William Bennett Schoeler) and David Christian Keller (Lisa and grandchildren Christian Allen and Madison Susan.) He was predeceased by his parents, Chester E. and Ruth Keller), his brother Lawrence Dole Keller, and sister Mary Edith Keller Miraldi.

David graduated from Belle Center High School in 1938 and attended Bliss Business School in Columbus, Ohio. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Tewkesbury, England. Upon returning to Belle Center in 1945, he became associated with his father in the Belle Center Grain Company, taking over as sole owner upon his father’s death in 1959.

David served on the Mary Rutan Hospital Board, the Logan View Hospital Board and Residential Homes Board.  Dave served on the Board of the American Red Cross of Logan County, American Legion Post 266 and was a member of the Free Masons of Ohio.

David’s lifelong love of Belle Center will always be remembered through the positive influence that he had on his community.  He was a proud resident and served the Village of Belle Center in many ways, both in its government and other community organizations. He was a member of the Belle Center United Presbyterian Church, BMRT, Kiwanis Club, City Council and instrumental in the Train Depot Renovation.  In 1995, he was honored for his sixty-two years of service as a volunteer fireman, having joined the department in 1933 at the age of thirteen.

Friends may call Wednesday, June 16, 2021, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Belle Center.

Chris Conley will officiate David’s funeral Thursday, June 17, at 10:00 a.m. at the Belle Center United Presbyterian Church. Burial will take place at the Bellefontaine Cemetery in Bellefontaine, Ohio at 2 p.m. with military honors provided by members of the Logan County Honor Guard.

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home in Belle Center is honored to serve the Keller family.

(authored by the family)

E.T.