Arthur James "Art" Keller, age 86

Arthur James Keller, of Ste. Marie, Illinois, passed away at 8:34 AM – Thursday, March 24, 2016, at his home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM – Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois, with Fr. Robert Spriggs celebrating mass.  Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery in Ste. Marie, Illinois with full military rites by Ste. Marie American Legion Post #932.  Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM – Monday, March 28, 2016 at the church and 1 hour prior to mass.  In loving memory of Art, memorials may be made to the St. Mary's Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 68 112 Embarras Street Ste. Marie, Illinois 62459 or HSHS St. Anthony's Hospice, 503 North Maple Street Effingham, Illinois 62401.   Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.

Arthur James was born on July 30, 1929 in Jasper County, Illinois the son of James and Louise (Huber) Keller.  He married Alice Cunningham on October 4, 1950, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois and she preceded him in death on November 22, 2011.

Art served his country in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, in the Korean Conflict.  Art spent his life as a grain and livestock farmer.  He was a gardener, avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending his kids and grandkids sporting and musical events.

Art was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and St. Mary's Cemetery Committee.   He was a 63-year member and past commander of the Ste. Marie American Legion Post #932, the 4 ^th Degree Knights of Columbus and the Elks.  He was past president and member of the Jasper County Pork Producers, a member of the Jasper County Farm Bureau and the Jasper County School Board.

Art is survived by 7 children- Robert (Donna) Keller of rural West Liberty, Illinois; Daniel (Cindy) Keller of Midlothian, Texas; Beverly (Robert) Toms of Warrenville, Illinois; Kathleen (Joseph) Coan of Charlestown, Indiana; Michael (Kimberly) Keller of Carmel, Indiana; Mary Lou (Richard) Stoecker of Columbia, Illinois; and Steve (Tammy) Keller of Effingham, Illinois.

His grandchildren, Jason (Anna) Keller; Elizabeth Toms (Keith Brown), Abby Toms and Hannah Toms; Jarred (Angela) Coan and Andrea Coan; Meridith Keller and Mitchell Keller; Phillip Stoecker and Jeffrey Stoecker; Grant Keller and Jessica Keller; three great-grandchildren, Brittany, Alex and Zach Keller.
He is also survived by his sister, Katie Wait, of Seal Beach, California; and sisters-in-law, Viola Keller of Newton, Illinois, and Celeste Keller of Decatur, Illinois.
Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife Alice, parents, 3 brothers, Frank, Marion and Herm and 5 sisters, Bertha Geiger, Bea Myers, Bernice Keller, Elaine Hannon and Louise Wells.