Mrs. Alice Marie (Cunningham) Keller, age 82
Of Willow Hill, IL passed away at 5:30 AM – Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at home surrounded by her family.
Mass of Christian will be celebrated at be held at 10:30 AM – Saturday, November 26, 2011 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie, IL with Father Al Kemme officiating with burial at the St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, November 25, 2011 from 4:00-7:00 PM at St. Mary of the Assumption Church and one hour prior to the funeral on Saturday. Arrangements are under the care of the Blake Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL. The obituary can be viewed and condolences can be left at www.blakefh.com. In loving memory of Alice, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southeastern Illinois or the American Heart Association .
Alice was born May 12, 1929 in rural West Liberty, the daughter of Ralph and Mary (Zuber) Cunningham. She married Arthur Keller on October 4, 1950 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Sainte Marie. Alice spent her life as a homemaker and loved spending time with her husband, her children and their families. Alice was a lifelong and active member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church. She belonged to the Sainte Marie Night Home Extension Unit and was a member of the Sainte Marie American Legion Auxiliary. Alice was also active throughout the years in the Jasper County Pork Producers. Alice was an accomplished quilter, enjoyed gardening and attending her children and grandchildren's activities. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and playing cards with friends.
Alice will be loved and remembered by her husband of 61 years, Arthur Keller, and their children, Robert (Donna) Keller of rural West Liberty, IL; Daniel (Cindy) Keller of Midlothian, TX; Beverly (Robert) Toms of Naperville, IL; Kathleen (Joseph) Coan of Charlestown, IN; Michael (Kimberly) Keller of Carmel, IN; Mary Lou (Richard) Stoecker of Columbia, IL and Steven (Tammy) Keller of Effingham, IL. Her grandchildren, Jason (Anna) Keller; Elizabeth Toms, Abby Toms and Hannah Toms; Jarred Coan and Andrea Coan; Meridith Keller and Mitchell Keller; Phillip Stoecker and Jeffrey Stoecker; Grant Keller and Jessica Keller; two great-grandchildren, Brittany Mae Keller and Alex James Keller.
Alice is also survived by two sisters, Maxine (Eugene) Hartrich and Florence Kocher both of Sainte Marie; sister-in-law, Joan Cunningham of Olney and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, James Cunningham.