Edmund Joseph "Joe" Keller, age 68
Of Newton, IL passed away at 8:07 PM – Monday, February 6, 2012 at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL.
Funeral services celebrating Joe's life will be held at 3:00 PM – Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Blake-Buchanan Funeral Home in Newton, IL with Rick Britton officiating. Burial will in Mt Calvary Cemetery in Newton, IL with full military by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Visitation will be held 2 hours before the services that the funeral home. In loving memory of Joe, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Cancer Support Group and can be left at the funeral home or sent to P.O. Box 333 Newton, IL 62448. Condolences can be sent and the obituary viewed at www.blakefh.com.
Joe was born on April 15, 1943 in the Bend Community of Jasper County, IL the son of Ed Keller and Monica (Michl) Keller Dhom. He married Linda Worthey on February 27, 1965 and she survives.
Joe served his country in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967.
Joe was known far and wide as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle mechanic. He started working at Lakeshore Harley-Davidson in 1967. Joe continued to work as a Harley-Davidson mechanic at Jack's Harley-Davidson in Effingham and Legacy Harley-Davidson and retired after 30 years of service. He continued to work on Harley-Davidson at his own shop. He also had worked as a mechanic for Jansen Brother International Harvester in Newton for 11 years and was in the Laborer's Local Union #1251 working at CIPS in Newton.
Joe enjoyed mushroom hunting and watching wildlife.
Joe is survived by: Wife of 44 Linda Keller of Newton, IL. Brother – Robert (Connie) Keller of Newton, IL. Sister-in-Law – Mary Lynn (Bob) Lafferty of Apache Junction, AZ. Brother-in-Laws – Ronald Worthey of WI and Kenny (Donna) Worthey of Grays Lake, IL. Nieces and Nephews – Crystal (Lance) Douthit, Jonathan Worthey, Chad (Katie) Lafferty, Glenna (Randy) Shryock and Danny Frichtl.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Mona Lou Frichtl.