Emil Joseph Keller Rockville, Maryland Obituary

Emil Joseph Keller

Emil J. Keller, Jr. of Rockville, Maryland passed away on November 21, 2020 at the age of 87. Emil was born in Washington D.C. as a first generation American to Emil J. Keller, Sr. and Agnes Josephine Shuler who immigrated from the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie, and his 6 children, daughter Karmen (Michael) Wilhoite sons Michael (Theresa) Keller, John (Paula) Keller, Emil (Marie) Keller, Tom (Julie) Keller and Brian (Delaine) Wilhoite, and 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Neacy of Tampa Bay, FL. In his adolescent years he worked in the fledgling family ice house in Waldorf, Maryland, and attended Catholic school. He was fortunate to attend the Agriculture College at the University of Maryland, College Park, and graduated with a specialty in dairy farming where he cultivated a life-long love of ice cream and became a home-made ice cream enthusiast. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served at Ft. Greely near Fairbanks, Alaska and the Yakima Training Center in Washington. After the military he returned home to the D.C. area and worked some dairy-related and other jobs. He eventually made his way into the insurance business and had a long career in sales with the Prudential Co. He was an avid tennis player throughout his adult life and played until he was nearly 80. He was also a fan of camping in the great outdoors, canoeing local waterways, and cheering on the local football team. Emil was a born-again believer. A trip to Israel in the late 1980’s was part of a life transformation that permeated all his remaining days. He was a dedicated servant of Christ through Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg and Redeemer Lutheran in Damascus where he showed his love for humanity as he cared for and assisted many people and provided his personal testimony. He was a truly dedicated and supportive spouse and a witness to his family and friends. After his work retirement he accelerated his ministry and continued it even after his move to the National Lutheran Home/Village at Rockville where he was a helping hand to many. Finally, he was a faithful member and servant for the Lions Club for many years where he collected eyeglasses for the needy and performed eye testing of under privileged children. His wit and humor were a well-known trait for all he encountered; a trait that has transcended his next two generations. He loved jokes and always had one prepared for visitors or that he repeated to family. Small interesting puzzles, toys or novelties were also a fond way of his to break the ice and get an interesting discussion started. He was also known as being easy-going and his calm demeanor and rationale could balance any given situation. Please no flowers to the home due to allergies. Instead, donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name at https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give are preferred.
January 5, 1933 - November 21, 202001/05/193311/21/2020
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Obituary

Emil J. Keller, Jr. of Rockville, Maryland passed away on November 21, 2020 at the age of 87. Emil was born in Washington D.C. as a first generation American to Emil J. Keller, Sr. and Agnes Josephine Shuler who immigrated from the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Bonnie, and his 6 children, daughter Karmen (Michael) Wilhoite sons Michael (Theresa) Keller, John (Paula) Keller, Emil (Marie) Keller, Tom (Julie) Keller and Brian (Delaine) Wilhoite, and 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Neacy of Tampa Bay, FL. In his adolescent years he worked in the fledgling family ice house in Waldorf, Maryland, and attended Catholic school. He was fortunate to attend the Agriculture College at the University of Maryland, College Park, and graduated with a specialty in dairy farming where he cultivated a life-long love of ice cream and became a home-made ice cream enthusiast. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955 and served at Ft. Greely near Fairbanks, Alaska and the Yakima Training Center in Washington. After the military he returned home to the D.C. area and worked some dairy-related and other jobs. He eventually made his way into the insurance business and had a long career in sales with the Prudential Co. He was an avid tennis player throughout his adult life and played until he was nearly 80. He was also a fan of camping in the great outdoors, canoeing local waterways, and cheering on the local football team. Emil was a born-again believer. A trip to Israel in the late 1980’s was part of a life transformation that permeated all his remaining days. He was a dedicated servant of Christ through Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Gaithersburg and Redeemer Lutheran in Damascus where he showed his love for humanity as he cared for and assisted many people and provided his personal testimony. He was a truly dedicated and supportive spouse and a witness to his family and friends. After his work retirement he accelerated his ministry and continued it even after his move to the National Lutheran Home/Village at Rockville where he was a helping hand to many. Finally, he was a faithful member and servant for the Lions Club for many years where he collected eyeglasses for the needy and performed eye testing of under privileged children. His wit and humor were a well-known trait for all he encountered; a trait that has transcended his next two generations. He loved jokes and always had one prepared for visitors or that he repeated to family. Small interesting puzzles, toys or novelties were also a fond way of his to break the ice and get an interesting discussion started. He was also known as being easy-going and his calm demeanor and rationale could balance any given situation. Please no flowers to the home due to allergies. Instead, donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation in his name at https://www.parkinson.org/ways-to-give are preferred.

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