Travis Eugene Keller

Travis Eugene Keller, 86, of Emmett, peacefully passed away at his home on Dec. 31, 2009. Travis was born April 16, 1923 in Adair, Oklahoma to Sylvester and Virginia Mapes. His mother, Virginia died shortly after childbirth, and he was later adopted by Ben and Grace Keller. They moved around Idaho before settling in Eastern Idaho. Travis only went to the 8th grade and left school to help his family on the farm, and drive milk truck and school bus in Eastern Idaho. On May 23, 1942 Travis Married Mary Louise Wheeler, in Ririe, Idaho. On May 3, 1943, their first son Darold Eugene was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Travis Keller entered the Army service on June 26, 1944, and received training from Camp Robinson, Arkansas before going to the South Pacific in December of that year. During World War 2 Travis served on the Islands of Guam, Saipan, and Okinawa. He was wounded in action on Okinawa while a memeber of the Ninety-sixth Infantry Division. He received a purple heart and a bronze star for his gallant service to his country. He came home from the war to settle in Emmett, Idaho. On January 25, 1947 their 2nd son Clinton Delynn was born in Emmett. Travis farmed in Emmett before going to work for Boise Payette Lumber company, later known as Boise Cascade. He worked there for 40 years and grew to love the people he worked with. He retired from Boise Cascade at the age of 62. Travis had a great love for the outdoors all of his life. Travis and his first wife Mary Louise enjoyed taking camping and fishing trips together. Travis and Louise enjoyed 52 years together until her passing in 1994. On Sept. 7, 1996 Travis married Sylvia Fuerstenau in Emmett, Idaho. They were married for 13 years and enjoyed attending swap meets, gardening, and spending time with their grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Travis was preceded in death by his son Darold Eugene Keller, his wife Mary Louise Keller, brother Jake Keller, and sister Florence Hawker. Travis is survived by his wife of 13 years, Sylvia Keller, and his son Clinton Delynn Keller; 5 grandchildren, Tyann (Todd) Alder, Kevin (Diane) Keller, Staci (Clark) Ratcliff, Nicki (Aaron) Johns, and Codey (Janet) Keller; 16 great-grandchildren, Marissa, Lauryn, Hayden, Kamryn, Carson, and Krysta Alder, Sydney, Aidan, and Ewan Keller, Mikaela, Miranda, and Malena Ratcliff, Garritt, Brittany, and Hunter Johns, and Trevor Keller. Sylvia's son Bob Fuerstenau, his wife and 2 children. Her daughter Mary Blumenthal, her husband and 2 children. Those surviving Travis will miss hearing the childhood and war stories that he so often liked to share as he got older. We love you and will miss you greatly. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 7, from 3 until 8 p.m., family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 8, at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett. Graveside services will be at the Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth at 2:30 p.m. The family is grateful to Heart and Home Hospice for their compassionate and loving care.