jack Keller
Jack "Poppy" Keller, 78, went home to be with Jesus around 7 p.m. Sunday, October 5, 2014 at his home. Jack was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2012, but continued doing the things he loved best: hunting, farming and spending time with his family.
Jack was born December 14, 1935 at Otwell to the late Trigg and Helen Wilkins Keller. He was the youngest of seven children and attended school in Weiner. He was a lifelong member of the Otwell Christian Church. Upon graduation, Jack farmed the Keller settlement in Weiner. He began farming at the age of 16 and continued until the end of his life. Jack felt that he was put on this earth to be a good steward of this land. He took joy in planting of the first seed in the spring until the last grain was harvested in the fall. His hobby was hunting and he was a member of the Big Island Bono Hunting Club for over 50 years.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hazel; his children, Susan Johnson (Lenny) and Craig Keller; grandchildren, Lance Johnson, Mallory Huffer (Marcus), Kristen Keller and Brittany Briggs (Cole); a great-grandson, Blake Briggs; his loyal canine companion, Buddy. Following his brother Troy's death, Jack served as a father figure to Brenda Keller and Pamela (Dave) Self. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Thelma, Marjorie and June and two brothers, Troy Keller and Donald "Red" Williams.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday October 8, 2014 at the Otwell Christian Church in Otwell with Jim Roberts officiating. Burial will follow at McDaniel Cemetery under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.
Honored to serve as pallbearers are Craig Keller, Lenny Johnson, Lance Johnson, Marcus Huffer, Tommy Williams and Asten Bozeman and as honorary pallbearers, Aaron Keller, John Keller, Bill Wilkins, B. J. Adams, Neil Puckett, Glen Edwards, Dale Alexander, David Wilkins, Kenny Hendrix, Tommy Malone, Jim Wise, Andy Peeler, Tommy Wofford, Dave Self, Dr. Whit Knapple, Dr. Diane Wilder, St. Bernards Hospice Nurses, Mark Huffer, Scott Gibson, Jody Gibson, Ryan Gibson, Deena Reece, Members of the Big Island Bono Hunting Club and Charlie Mennee.
The family requests memorials be sent to St. Bernards Hospice, 1726 Marie Circle, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401 or Otwell Christian Church, 46 CR 221, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401. Online: www.mcnabbfuneralhomes.com.
Published October 8, 2014