John Vernon Keller

John Vernon Keller, 86, passed away Friday, January 4, 2008 at a Topeka hospital. He was born June 19, 1921, at Delia, the son of Lindsay Vance "Lynn" and Emma Mullinix Keller. He grew up in the Delia community and graduated from Delia High School in 1939. Mr. Keller served in the United States Navy during WWII. Mr. Keller was engaged in farming and worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in Topeka from 1954 until he retired in 1985. He lived in the Delia community and then in Rossville from 1966 until moving to Topeka in 2005. He was a member of the Delia Presbyterian Church. The United Rubber Workers Union No. 307, Delia Masonic Lodge No. 418 AF/AM and Jimmie Lillard American Legion Post No 31 at Rossville. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Cindy Lee Keller, a daughter Bonnie Ellen Bush and by a brother Phillip Keller. On December 17, 1945 he was united in marriage to Bonnie G. Groff at Topeka. She survives at the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Connie Sue (Don) Mulanax, Emmett; two sons, Lindsay "Skip" (Karen) Keller, Emmett and Michael V. Keller, Rossville; a son-in-law, Roger Bush, Rossville; three sisters, Wanda Parr, Naomi Sumner and Geneva Fairbanks, all of Topeka; nine grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 7, 2008 at Piper Funeral Home in St. Marys. Interment will be in the Delia Cemetery where military graveside services will be conducted by Jimmie Lillard Post No. 31 and Delia Lodge will conduct Masonic graveside services. Mr. Keller will lie in state from 2:00 until 7:00 P.M. Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the funeral home in St. Marys, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be given to Jimmie Lillard Post No 31 of the American Legion and sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.piperfuneralhome.com.