Gerald Keller

Gerald Keller, 87, a prominent dairy farmer of Cape Girardeau, passed away Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 5, 1927, in Cape Girardeau, son of Walter and Ella Schwab Keller. He and Pearl Siebert were married Jan. 7, 1951, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Gerald lived his entire life on a 149-year-old family farm, except for his one year of Army service in World War II and 18 months at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Over the years Gerald received numerous farming awards and served on local and church boards.

Loving survivors include his wife of 64 years, Pearl; a daughter, Gloria (David) Illers; a son, Ronald (Vicki) Keller; five grandchildren, Julie, Kelly, Carlen, Amber and Jared; 12 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Frances Allison, all of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Gladys Nebel; twin sister, Geraldine Johnson; and a daughter-in-law, Vicky Ware Keller.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Doug Breite officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church or Living Hope, 55 N. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

mccombsfuneralhome.com