Obituary - Donald E Keller

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Donald E. Keller
Published: October 13, 2005
1949-2005

Services for Donald E. Keller of McMinnville will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Nazarene Church on the Hill. The Revs. Jerry Moen and Wes Smith will officiate.  Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Mr. Keller died Friday, Oct. 7, in the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland of complications associated with a stem cell transplant. He was 56. Born May 1, 1949, in Woodburn, he was the son of Harold T. and Alice D. Keller. He grew up in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in 1967. He received his degree in music education in 1971 from Northwest Nazarene University. He married Libby Moench in 1972 in Nampa, Idaho.

Mr. Keller taught high school and junior high school music in Burns until 1978. From 1978 to 1987, he taught grade school and middle school music in Kelso, Wash. He went on to earn a master's in education at Western Oregon University and an administrative certificate from Portland State University, then got into administrative work. Mr. Keller served as principal of Grand Ronde Elementary School from 1987 to 1990, Willamina Middle School from 1990 to 1993 and Willamina Elementary School from 1993 until his death. However, he was taking a medical leave this school year to facilitate recovery from a June stem cell transplant.

He loved all aspects of music, particularly singing, playing the guitar and playing the trombone. He also enjoyed camping, beachcombing and family vacations. He was heavily involved in his church and community. Family members said his children were a high priority for him as well.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Tim Keller of McMinnville; a daughter, Sara Keller of McMinnville; his mother, Alice Young of Nampa, Idaho; a brother, Theron Keller of The Dalles; and three sisters, Jan Crown of McMinnville and Cheryl Kaiser and Doris Moore of Nampa. He was preceded in death by his father and sister Ardis Stewart.

Arrangements are under the direction of Macy & Son Funeral Directors, McMinnville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Don Keller Memorial Scholarship at Northwest Nazarene University, care of the Nazarene Church on the Hill, 700 N.W. Hill Road, McMinnville, OR 97128.