Charles William Keller Jr.

KELLER-Charles William Keller, Jr., born September 23, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York, passed away on December 3, 2010. Services will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 10:00am, at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 E. Mountain View Avenue, Glendora, CA. Interment will be private. Charles is survived by his wife, Margo; two children, Charles William Keller, III and Babette Marie Mota; son-in-law Jose Mota; daughter-in-law, Nami Keller; and two grandchildren, Charles Joseph "Joey" Mota, and Alina Mota; two brothers, David Keller and John Keller, two sisters-in laws, Pricilla Keller and Ann Lockery and many nephews and nieces living throughout the United States. Charles is predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Babette Suessmuth Keller. Charles resided in Glendora for 36 years moving to San Dimas when he and Margo were married in 1999. Charles attended elementary school PS 171 in Brooklyn, N.Y., and middle and high school in Goshen, New York. He graduated from Wagner College in Staten Island, New York in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. During World War II and the Korean War, Charles served as a Staff Officer in the grade of Junior Assistant Purser and Pharmacist on several vessels of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Following the war, he received an Honorable Discharge for the United States Coast Guard. Charles received a letter from President Harry Truman thanking the Merchant Marines for their courage, fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to bring about the total defeat of the enemy by their service in the Merchant Marine. Charles worked as a chemist for PerkinElmer for many years and retired in 1990. He also served as a Reserve Police Officer for 16 years for the City of Azusa. During retirement, Charles enjoyed many years teaching in both Glendora and Azusa School Districts. His favorite substitute teaching assignment was in the Azusa High School Wood Shop. Charles was a member of the Glendora Masonic Lodge 404 and recently received his 50 year Masonic membership pin. An active member of Grace Episcopal Church in Glendora, he served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay reader; and Emeritus member of the American Chemical Society. During his retirement years, Charles enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading and photography. Charles will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him. White's Funeral Home 626-334-2921