Lester Russell Keller

Lester Russell Keller, 88, formerly of Lancaster, PA, and recently of The Villages in Lady Lake, FL passed away on July 2, 2017. Les was born on February 3, 1929 in Utica, NY to Russell Prinzler Keller and Anna Mary Kolmus Keller. He was a loving husband of 69 years to his wife Betty Louise Bice Keller and a supportive father to his four children: Sandra Lee Hostetler (Rick), Deborah Lynn McClarigan, Allison Elaine Babin,(Ted) and Mark Alan Keller. He was predeceased by his first son, Lester Russell Keller Jr. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Les graduated from the Utica Free Academy with later studies at the University of Akron, OH and Frankin and Marshall University in Lancaster, PA. He joined the Army Air Force in 1946, serving until 1949 as a cryptographer with the 934th Signal Battalion at the Greenville SC Army Air Force Base. After his discharge from the Air Force, he was employed by Roadway Express Trucking Company in Greenville. As an Air Force Reservist he was recalled to active duty in 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War and stationed at the Enid, OK Air Force Base. After his discharge in 1952, he returned to Roadway, was transferred to Winston-Salem, NC and later transferred to Akron, OH to begin his career as a Certified Internal Auditor. He later held the position of head auditor for Jones Trucking Company in Spring City PA. In 1969 he began employment with the then Sperry New Holland Company in New Holland, PA. Following his retirement from Ford New Holland in 1991, Les served as a volunteer and EMT with the East Lampeter and Manheim Township Ambulance Companies. He and Betty moved to The Villages in 1998. He enjoyed riding bikes, collecting coins, operating scale model trains, building models, and solving sodoku and cryptograms. Les traveled extensively for work in South America and Europe. He and Betty enjoyed leisure travel including many cruises both together and with family. The family will receive friends at Beyers Funeral Home of Lady Lake from 10-11 a.m. on July 6th. Les will be buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell following a funeral service to be conducted by the American Legion Post 347 at 12:30 p.m. on July 6th. Memorials may be made in Les's name to any veteran's charity or to the Cornerstone Villages Hospice House.

Lester Russell Keller

February 3, 1929 - July 2, 2017