Rev. Ron Keller

KELLER, Rev. Ron L. - Age 83, of Flint Township, died Monday, November 25, 2019 at McLaren-Flint.  He joins a loving God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, December 2, 2019 at Court Street United Methodist Church, 235 West Court St, Flint 48502.  Pastor Jeremy Peters officiating.  Visitation will be held at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller, Swartz Creek Sunday from 3-7 PM and at the church Monday from 10 AM until the time of the service.  A luncheon will follow the service.  After the luncheon loved ones will travel to Oak Grove Cemetery in Morenci (Ron's Home Town) for the burial service.  At Ron's request, memorial contributions may be made to Court Street United Methodist Church, envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.

Ron L Keller was born March 14, 1936, to Orin Wellington & Verlah Charlotte (Evers) Keller on a farm near Morenci, MI, the 4th of 5 children. The family was very active in the Morenci United Methodist Church. He attended the one-room Rorick School through 7th grade and graduated from Morenci High School in 1954 after playing in the band for 4 years, serving as Editor of the Bulldog's Bark newspaper and receiving "The I Dare You" award. He also received The Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1957. He received his B.A. Degree from Albion College in 1958. His last two years at Albion he pastored the Washington Heights Methodist Church in Battle Creek.

Ron married Patricia Jane Reppert from Morenci on June 22, 1958, two weeks after graduating from college. They moved to Republic, Ohio, where he pastored the Methodist Church and graduated from the Oberlin College Graduate School of Theology with an MDiv Degree in 1962.

After seminary they moved to Union City, Mi, where at the town's sesquicentennial he was presented with the Outstanding Citizen Award while serving there as pastor. They then served U.M. churches at Battle Creek Birchwood, Rockford, Kalamazoo Milwood, Muskegon Central and Battle Creek First from where he retired in 1998. Ron also served on the West Michigan Conference Staff for 8 1/2 years as a consultant to local churches, districts and the conference. After retirement he served Leroy Congregational, Kalamazoo First, Ellenton, FL., Lennon and Court Street U.M.C. in Flint.

Ron and Pat have Four children and seven grandchildren, all in Michigan: Paul (Michelle) and their children, Leah and Nathaniel of Saline; Laurel of Ypsilanti; Brad (Lauren) and their children, Erin & Benjamin; and Brent (Adrienne) of Goodrich and their children, Noah, Jonah & Julia.

Ron was an amateur candle maker for 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Richard, Robert, and Larry. He is survived by his wife, children, and his sister Marjorie Ely of Adrian, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.