Layton Keller

Layton Keller

Layton H. Keller, 83, of Jackson died Friday, March 14, 2008, at The Lutheran Home.

He was born May 18, 1924, to Fred and Rose Grossheider Keller, and lived in Cape Girardeau County his whole life. He and Vera L. Kinder were married Jan. 19, 1945, in Gordonville. They were married 60 years. She preceded him in death Dec. 21, 2005.

Keller served in the Army during World War II and worked at the U.S. post office in Cape Girardeau for 29 years as a mail carrier.

The family owned and operated Keller Riding Stables west of Cape Girardeau for 10 years. Keller also did horseshoeing and training in the area for many years. In the past year, he volunteered at the Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship.

A member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, he was a faithful usher and greeter and worked many years at the church's Men's Club stand at the SEMO District Fair.

Keller is survived by four daughters, Ann (Terry) Smith of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Carol (Randy) Ludwig of Jackson, Joyce (Fred) Seabaugh of Gordonville, Kathy Beauchamp of Lewisburg, W. Va. Also surviving are brothers Dewey (Virginia) Keller of Gordonville, Roy (Eldora) Keller of Columbia, Mo., Art (Patty) Keller of Belle Vista, Ariz., a sister-in-law, JoAnn Keller of St. Louis, a brother-in-law, Howard (Bonnie) Kinder of Jackson. Surviving grandchildren are Brad (Tammy) Smith of Symsonia, Ky., Christy Smith of Poplar Bluff, Melinda Curtis of Nashville, Tenn., Julie Seabaugh of Las Vegas, Brian Seabaugh and Douglas Ludwig, both of Columbia, Mo. Great-grandchildren are Matthew and Emily Smith of Symsonia.

Mr. Keller was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Andrew John Seabaugh; a brother and sister-in-law, Irvin and Mercedes Keller, and brother Quinton Keller.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral chapel, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau with full military rites by the Missouri Honor Team.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Living Hope TV Ministry, Trinity Lutheran School Building Fund or Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.