James Dixon Keller (1942-2024)

James “Jim” Dixon Keller, husband of Patricia “Pat” Alyea Keller, father of three daughters, and grandfather of six grandchildren, of Columbus, Indiana, died on September 9, 2024 at the age of 81 years.

Jim was born in Indianapolis on October 8, 1942 to Rex and Marion Keller of Covington, Indiana. Jim’s favorite sport growing up was baseball, but he also enjoyed football and Boy Scouts, earning the Eagle Scout rank at the age of 14. Jim graduated from Covington High School in Covington, Indiana in 1960, where his 6-man football team was the Indiana state champion in 1959.

He attended Indiana University School of Business and received his bachelor’s degree in 1964. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Lambda chapter. He was proud to spend his entire 36-year career in banking at Irwin Union Bank, retiring as Vice President of Commercial Loan in 2004.

Jim married Pat in 1968 in Covington. They settled in Columbus where they raised their three daughters. While he had hoped to have a son to teach football, he was blessed with three daughters with varied dance and athletic interests, who went on to have three grandsons and three granddaughters.

Avid IU sports fans, Jim and Pat enjoyed attending IU football and basketball games in Bloomington. Even though one of his daughters had the audacity to apply to Purdue, he was proud that all three of their daughters received their bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University.

Jim instilled in his daughters and grandchildren a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, acting as a volunteer in many different areas. He served on the board of the Columbus Housing Authority, serving as chairperson for many of his 24 years on the board. He also served as the treasurer of Fairlawn Presbyterian Church for over 20 years, a job that he felt was an important contribution he could make to the church where he and Pat have been members for many years,

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Patricia Keller; daughters Amy Keller, Emily Blue (John), and Suzanne Roberts; and grandchildren Ryan Blue, Emma Braman, Cameron Blue, Maggie Braman, C.J. Roberts, and Leanne Roberts.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kirkpatrick will officiate.

Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 11:00 a.m. to time of service at the church.

Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to Fairlawn Presbyterian Church or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.

Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com