Merle Keeling, 67, was born in Topeka, Kansas, on the 20th of January 1953, from the union of Henry Mack Keeling and Hester Odella Canady Keeling. Hester remarried Roy Leonard Woods, who raised Merle from infancy. Merle was a lifelong resident of Topeka where he attended and graduated from Topeka Public Schools. He later attended Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Washburn University. On December 2, 1972, Merle married the love of his life, Paulette Thomas. To this union two children were born. As a young man, Merle worked for the Kansas Neurological Institute, as well as the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. After Goodyear, he became a well-known and talented sales associate and manager at Sears for 19 years. After a successful career and retirement from Sears, Merle chose an encore career path as a school police officer. He trained and graduated from the Topeka Police Academy and began his work as a police officer for Unified School District 501 – Topeka Public Schools. He had a gift for encouraging students to do their best and retired after 19 years in 2013. Merle accepted Christ at a young age and was a lifelong member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Topeka, KS. He participated as a member of various choirs in church and formerly served as the Sunday School Superintendent. In his free time, Merle enjoyed his family and friends. To say he was a sports fan is an understatement. Merle was active as a member of the YMCA where he played handball, racquetball and placed 1st and 3rd in handball doubles. He also loved taking care of his yard. Merle was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Mack Keeling, Hester Odella Woods, and Roy Leonard Woods; his sister Ollie Marthella Keeling-Stewart (Fred Stewart Jr.); and two brothers, Henry Keeling and Leslie Woods. Merle is survived by his wife of 47 years, Paulette; son, Daniel La Monte of Berlin, Germany; daughter, Dione LaNette (Damien) Banks of Dallas, TX; two loving grandchildren, Laila and Harper Banks; brothers, Leonard Woods of Topeka, Daniel Ramon (Bronna) Woods of Overland Park, KS, and Vernon Keeling of Kansas City, MO; sisters, Billye June Stephens of Topeka, Patsy (Henry) Wilburn of Chicago, Ill., Marshella Yvette Woods of Atlanta, GA, and sister-in-law, Trudi Keeling of Tacoma, WA. Merle leaves behind a host of loving relatives and great friends. Due to attendance being limited to 10 people, ZOOM will be set up for the funeral service. Those in a attendance are required to wear a mask or cloth covering that covers both the nose and the mouth to enter the facility. At the family's request, the burial will be private. Thank you for your respect and understanding. Harriett Johnson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Merle Keeling Time: Dec 3, 2020 09:27 AM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9434032676?pwd=clh5VkJqc1htU3FxWGhxSm16b0lVUT09 Meeting ID: 943 403 2676 Passcode: larry One tap mobile +13462487799,,9434032676#,,,,,,0#,,012421# US (Houston) +16699009128,,9434032676#,,,,,,0#,,012421# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington D.C) Meeting ID: 943 403 2676 Passcode: 012421 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc7xoXNY2 This is the link to view the ZOOM recording of the service: Share recording with viewers: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/axIRqqNdoW7JJKPQB0uXeSkxVolk_OJHe14fAqUjh6YQ55sEhkTWIYN0TZ-deLzR.QSBF4nfo1wL3TWHM Passcode: .#1$uETJ