Gary M Keller

Gary Merlin Keller, 63, passed from this life on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at his residence in Hastings. Services will be held Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 10 am at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home Chapel in Hastings with Rev. Fred Paxton and Mr. Ralph Hicken officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 4, 2011, from 12 noon to 9 pm with the family present from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Brand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hastings. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska Thursday at 2:30 pm with military rites. Friends and loved ones may leave their condolences for the Keller family at www.brandwilson.com. Memorials may be given to the family. Gary was born October 12, 1947 to Pete and Evelyn (Swartz) Keller in Toledo, Ohio. From an early age, Gary had a love for the outdoors that would evolve into a lifelong enjoyment of hunting, fishing, camping, and boating. Gary joined the United States Air Force in 1967 and served in numerous locations including South Korea where he met his loving wife, Kyong S. Choe, whom he married on February 6, 1978. While stationed at Fort Hood and residing in Copperas Cove, Texas, Gary worked as an electronics technician and attended Central Texas College, graduating with honors and receiving an Associate Degree in Applied Science. In 1981, he continued his service to his country and transferred to the Army, becoming a Warrant Officer and would eventually become Chief Warrant Officer 2 before his retirement. In 1993, Gary moved to Nebraska where he continued his work in electronics while working for the National Weather Service in Hastings for the next 18 years. In his personal life, Gary served his community by volunteering at the Hastings YMCA and served on the board of directors for a number of years. He lived an ever selfless life, always looking for an opportunity to help others, giving everything and expecting nothing in return. He had a kindred love for the automobile, especially antique Chevrolets and was dedicated to spending his Thursday nights playing poker with friends. Gary enjoyed many summers of working in the garden with his wife and making homemade salsa to give to family and friends. He supremely loved doing anything that involved being with his family. Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Kyong, of Hastings, Nebraska; mother, Evelyn Heller of Apopka, Florida; three sons, Karl of Hastings, Richard of Columbus, Georgia, and George of Buffalo, New York; a daughter, Kimberly Wanamaker of Ohio; a brother, Terry Keller, also of Ohio; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.