Edward Worth Keller, Jr.

Edward Worth Keller, Jr. May 7, 1924 - June 25, 2016 Edward Worth “Ed” Keller, Jr., age 92, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2016 at the Samantha Wilson Care Center at Bayview, after a brief illness. Born and raised in Hastings, he was a lifelong resident of St. Johns County. He was known throughout his life as “Brother” Keller by all of his Hastings family and friends. He served his country honorably during WWII in the United States Army, in the Pacific Theater. Ed retired in the 1970’s as a potato and cabbage farmer to Crescent Beach. He loved surf fishing and his home on the Intracoastal Waterway. Ed was a devout Christian and was an active member of both Christ United Methodist Church in Hastings and later Destiny Church International after retirement. Ed had lived at the Bayview Pavilion since March of 2014. He enjoyed being close to the Council on Aging, where he had been active for many years. He continued participating in their activities, especially bingo, until spring of this year. He was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed. On May 7th of this year, almost 50 members of his family and close friends gathered at Bayview to celebrate his 92nd birthday. He is survived by his daughters, Bonnie Patrice Allen (Jim) of Jacksonville, Beverly Jean White (Rick) of Palatka; son, Chris Edward Keller (Mabel) of Middleburg; sisters, Wanda Louise Marquart of Julington Creek, Alice Joan McCool of St. Augustine. Ed was proud of his grandchildren and is also survived by them. They are Scott Allen (Christi), Brian Allen (Misty), Kristina Mobley (Joe), Ed Keller III (Elizabeth), Dorothy Benton (Kerry), Daniel White (Samantha), Leslie Smith (Chad Norman), and David White (Tish Belflower) and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years in 2011, Opal Keller. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, 2016 at Destiny Church International with Rev. Donavan Tinsley officiating. A visitation with the family will precede the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. with a reception provided by the church afterwards. Ed and Louise will both be interred at a private family service in the National Cemetery in Jacksonville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Destiny Church International, St. Augustine. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.