James Neil Keiler

James Neil Keiler, 78, of Downingtown, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 3, 2012.
Jim was born May 28, 1933 in Lenni Mills, Pa.
He was the youngest son of Charles Israel and Ida Lovelace Keiler.
He resided in Aston Mills, Middletown, Media, West Chester, West Goshen, Green Valley, Ariz., East Bradford and Pocopson Home for the past 4½ years.
He graduated from Media High School in 1951. After serving in the U.S. Army in France from 1954 to 1956, he went to the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University where he received his bachelor of science and master's degrees.
He taught in Marple Newtown, Chester, Coatesville and the Chester County Vocational-Technical School. He was a vocational-technical administrator for Delaware County in Folcroft and Aston. Jim was also an adjunct instructor at Temple University. He retired from education in 1990.
During Jim's years in education he was president of the Eastern Region Vocational Administrators of Pennsylvania, president of Vocational Administrators of Pennsylvania, president of International Management Council of Delaware County, member of Delaware County Principals' Association, Pennsylvania Vocational Association, Delchester Health Education Consortium and Pennsylvania Vocational Industrial Clubs of America State Leadership Group.
In 1963, Jim became a member of First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, where he served as a trustee and deacon.
He was a member of West Chester Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years. Jim was in the group of fathers who started the Indian Princesses in West Chester and he became the first Winema Nation Chief and Sachem of that organization.
He loved helping others and repairing things, and volunteered for Good Works, Habitat for Humanity and an Appalachian Mission project.
He also enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, hiking, reading and music.
Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol Larkin Keiler; his daughter, Alyson Brant and her husband, Jim, and daughter, Grace, of Morriston, Fla.; his son-in-law, Bill Wallace, and his children, Kelsey, Jeff and Drew of East Bradford; and two sisters, Janet Pierce and Clara Batty, both of Green Valley, Ariz.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Lynne Keiler Wallace; and siblings, Winifred Morrow, Audrey Brennan, Lynn Keiler, Myron Keiler and Emerson Keiler.
His family wants to thank all the staff at Pocopson Home for their wonderful loving care and Dr. Jawad for his compassion and care.
There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Miner St., West Chester, with a time of visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church before the service.
Interment will be private.
Contributions in Jim's name may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Miner St., West Chester, PA 19382; Good Works Inc., P.O. Box 1441, Coatesville, PA 19320; or Pocopson Home, 1695 Lenape Road, West Chester, PA 19382.
Arrangements are being handled by the Maclean-Chamberlain Funeral Home Inc., 610-384-7191, www.mcfuneralhome.com.