Keller, Henry ’43

Henry Keller Has Passed On

Phi Kappa Sigma sends its condolences to his family and friends

Henry Keller of State College died Friday, October 9, 2015 at the Village at Penn State. He was 93.

Born October 5, 1922, in Bellefonte, he was the son of the late John Orvis and Mary Gans Keller. On September 25, 1948, he married Ann Rose Henry, who preceded him in death on May 19, 2007. He is survived by three children, Nancy P. Keller, of Madison, Wis., David W. Keller and his wife, Lara, of Los Angeles, Calif. and John H. Keller and his wife Virginia of Tatura, Australia; a sister, Anna “Cummie” Bullock, of Harlingen, Texas; three grandchildren, Paul Keller, Shannon Rose and Nina Keller; and two great-grandchildren, Stella and Dylan Rose. 

He was preceded in death by a brother, John G. Keller; and a sister, Mary Jane Egolf. Henry was a 1940 graduate of State College High School. He graduated from Penn State University in 1943, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Finance from Penn State in 1943, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity and President of the Interfraternity Council his senior year. 

Henry entered the Naval Reserve in December 1943, where he served in the Pacific Theater Operations on LST (Landing Ship Tank) 663 as a Navy Ensign and then as a Lieutenant. He participated in landings at Palau Island the Philippine Islands at Leyte Gulf. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal with three bronze stars, the Asiatic-pacific campaign medal and a WWII Victory Medal. Following the end of WWII he returned to State College where he worked as an insurance broker in State College at his business, the Henry Keller Insurance Agency for over 50 years. He was a member of the State College Presbyterian Church and Habitat for Humanity. Henry was an avid golfer and long-time member of the Centre Hills County Country club, winning the club championship in the 1960s. He and his wife were also members of the Seabrook Country Club outside of Charleston, S.C., where they maintained and resided in a golfing villa for several years. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Martin Room, State College Presbyterian Church, 132 W. Beaver Avenue, State College, with a memorial service following at the church at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Dean Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Centre County Memorial Park on Friday, October 23, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Village at Penn State to assist those with needs. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook. 

– Published in Centre Daily Times on Oct. 21, 2015