Jesse Leonard Keller Jr.

Jesse L. Keller Jr., 84, of Ridgway, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 14, 2014, 7:55 a.m.  He was born October 27, 1929 at Seymour, Ill., to the late Jesse Leonard and Viola (Foster) Keller of Champaign, Ill.  He married the former Joann Moser of Rankin, January 19, 1957, who passed away on January 5, 2005.  He was raised at Rankin, graduated from Rankin High School and attended the University of Illinois.  He served four years in the United States Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952, spending fourteen months in Korea participating at Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, and most of 1951 campaigns.  He earned a silver star on the Korean Campaign ribbon and a bronze star on the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.  He farmed for four years on the family farm, and then went with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, formerly Soil Conservation Service, in Kankakee County at Kankakee.  He and his family were there for ten years.  Mr. Keller then transferred to Gallatin County in 1967 and moved to Ridgway.  It was a big move to a new area and not knowing one person.  After working for eighteen years in Gallatin and Saline counties and receiving numerous awards of achievement, he retired in 1985 and started his own real estate business that covered several counties, retiring in 2000.  He acquired his private pilots licence and enjoyed traveling with Joann in their R.V.  Jesse was a member of the Ridgway United Methodist Church, VFW of Ridgway, and member of the American Legion Post 596.  He served on the local Honor Guard.  He is survived by a daughter, Julie and Stacey Hagan of Weldon; two sons, Brad of Lewisport, Ky. And Mike of Ridgway; three grandchildren Christopher Keller, Seth and Ava Hagen; one sister, Gladys Erikson of Elkhart, Ind.; two brothers, Donald of Venice, Fla. and Harold of Littleton, Colo.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; an infant daughter, Peggy Ann Keller; and a sister, Alice Sprague.   Visitation for Jesse will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway.  Funeral service will held on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Ron Johnson officiating.  Burial will be at the Jackson Cemetery near Ridgway with military rites by Ridgway American Legion Post 596 and the Military Honors Team. Donations may be made to the Hospice of Southern Illinois.