Robert Keeler

Each day Robert C. Keeler tried to share his happiness and good spirits with the people closest to him, his friends, colleagues, and especially his family. With a good sense of humor and a memorable laugh, Bob always brightened rooms with his charismatic presence. It has been said that the true measure of life is how long we exist after we’re gone, and surely Bob will be treasured in the memories of many for years to come.

The year 1919 marked a return to prosperity and good fortune for America. With the end of the Great War, a new energy pulsed through the country, showing itself in jazz music, a growing entertainment industry, gambling, and the flapper dress. Though it was the beginning of an era of economic prosperity, Roy Keeler and his wife Glenna Howard located their best success within the walls of their home in Lansing, Michigan. On September 5, 1919 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Robert.

Though Bob was born in Lansing, he would always remember Plainwell as the town of his childhood. When Bob was just six months old, the Keeler family relocated to Plainwell. While his father worked outside the home, Bob’s mother looked after him and took care of the house. Though Bob was an only child, he was never at a loss for friends or family. His grandpa also lived in the family house, and he and Bob grew very close over the years.

In the year 1937 Bob graduated from Plainwell High School. Throughout his education he had worked part-time at Wellborn Grocery, but he now began working there full time as a delivery boy. After a little while he moved onto a position at Angle Steel. In the late thirties, he began working for the Plainwell Fire Department, a job he would proudly hold for the next ten years.

When the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, Bob was among the many young Americans to serve his country in the US Army. He joined the service in 1941. Initially he was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and later he did maneuvers in Louisianaand the upper pennisula of Michigan. But he was bound to join the battle scene in Europe, and he soon took the Queen Mary across the Atlantic to serve in the 37th Field Artillary Battalion "Indianhead"and was part of the landing on Omaha Beach at Normandy on the second day of the invasion.

Bob first met Thelma while on leave from Ft. Sam Houston and he was immediately taken by her. Though it was a bold move, he approached her and asked if she’d like to dance. She found him attractive and agreed but Bob soon returned to San Antonio. The next four years presented many uncertainties, but Bob and Thelma stayed in touch by writing frequently. Their love grew through their correspondence and when Bob returned safely after his discharge, they began dating. On August 31, 1946 they were united in marriage, marking one of the happiest days in Bob’s life.

From the beginning, Bob and Thelma were a perfect match. Their interests and unique traits balanced each other. In the spirit of their first meeting, they continued to enjoy dancing together. They were wonderful companions, with enough mutual respect and care to make fifty-eight years of marriage pass by in a snap. Bob and Thelma also shared the same religious beliefs, and they were both active, long-time members of the Cooper Congregational Church.

The Keeler household soon grew with the blessing of children. Bob and Thelma welcomed three kids into their home, Tom, Marsha, and Brad. Bob provided for his growing family through his job at American Aggregates, where he worked as a bookkeeper for twenty-three years. He then began working for Statler & Redi-mix for the next seventeen years, before retiring in 1984. No matter what task lay before him, Bob was always a quick worker. He was a conscientious employee and coworker, and was known for his good disposition.

In addition to his three children, there were other members of the Keeler family. Bob loved nature, from its flowers to its animals. He always had pets; his current favorite is a cat named Polly. In fact, he loved animals so much that he’d often look after the neighbors pets. While at their house in Cooper , he’d taken to feeding the neighbor’s Beagle named Candy, who was a frequent visitor.

In his free time, you could often find Bob out on the links at Crestview, where he was a member in the golf league. When he wasn’t golfing, Bob enjoyed reading westerns by Louis L’Amour. He loved Plainwell Ice Cream, a well-known fact among friends and family. Bob was always getting gift certificates, and he used up plenty on his chocolate and peanut butter favorites. He had quite the sweet tooth.

Bob also devoted a lot of his free time to travel with Thelma or playing cards with friends. Over the years he visited England, Hawaii, the West, Texas, Nova Scotia, New York, and others. He trekked out to Myrtle Beach to play golf, and on his trip to Hawaii he visited Pearl Harbor. But his favorite place was Nashville, where he nestled into a seat at the famous Grand Old Opry.

Bob was a practical man who never saw the sense in complaining. He knew that he had plenty in life to be thankful for, and he always regarded his life as a blessing. Among his many friends and family, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Bob died on April 20, 2005. Learn more about Bob and visit with his family at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel, where his memorial service will be held on Friday at 1 PM, cremation has taken place. Bob’s family includes his wife Thelma; sons: Tom (Barb) Keeler of Fox River Grove, IL, Brad (Bernadette) Keeler of Plainwell, and daughter Marsha Keeler of Grand Blanc; 5 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 3 great-granddaughters and one step great-grandson. A special thanks to grandchildren Michael & Julie, whose professional care & compassion allowed us to keep Dad at home with us where he wanted to be. Please visit Bob’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or make a memorial donation in lieu of flowers to the Cooper Congregational Church, Borgess Visiting Nurse & Hospice, or the American Lung Association.