Obituary - Rev Warner B Keller
Rev. Warner B. Keller (1919-2010)
Rev. Warner B. Keller passed away on Sat., Jan. 16, at his home in Colonial
Residence in Centralia. Born in Burtrum, MI on August 11, 1919, to Jake and
Sadie Keller he was 90 years old at the time of his death. He grew up on the
family farm, and attended school in Burtrum where he played both basketball and
baseball. During his high school years he was the catcher on his team which one
year went undefeated. He was also a good student and graduated as Valedictorian
of his high school class.
Warner accepted Christ as his savior at the age of 12 and during his early teens felt God's call to pastoral ministry. He pastored his first church at the age of 19, and in the years that followed served churches in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Oregon and Washington. Wherever he pastored his churches saw significant growth, and he was known for his caring spirit, his excellent preaching, and his evangelistic fervor. He was elected Superintendent of the North Minnesota Conference of the Free Methodist Church at the age of 33.
Warner was married to Pearl Knapp in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 30,
1940. She was the love of his life, and together they had 5 children, one of
whom preceded him in death. The children have many fond memories of their
growing up years, and knew their father as a very fun-loving and caring person.
Warner and Pearl first moved to Centralia to pastor the Free Methodist Church in
the summer of 1964. During the 7 years that followed he served as President of
the Ministerial Association and Chaired the John Wesley White countywide
evangelistic campaign. They moved back to the area during their retirement
years, living first in Chehalis and later at Stillwaters Estates in Centralia.
Warner was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elsie, his twin brother Wendall, his son Robert, and his grandson, Logan. He is survived by his wife Pearl of Centralia and his children, Roger (Monika) of Centralia, Barbara (Gordon) Winter of Medford, Oregon. Rick (Cheryl) of Redmond, Washington, Kathy (Dan) Ramirez of Sultan, Washington, and daughter-in-law Paulette Keller Pyland of Vancouver, Washington. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held in his honor on Thurs., Jan. 21, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cooks Hill Community Church, 2600 Cooks Hill Rd. Burial will be at the Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis. Memorial gifts may be made to the Cooks Hill Community Church, the Stillwaters Foundation, or the Assured Home Health and Hospice.