Ralph Edgar Keller, age 87, of O'Fallon, Ill., born Jan. 24, 1925 at Prairie Lawn in O'Fallon, passed away at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. on Sunday Oct. 21, 2012. He was a life-long resident of O'Fallon.

Ralph was a veteran of World War II, serving in the US Naval Reserve (1943-46) as Ship's Cook Second Class, being stationed primarily in the Philippines and assigned to LCT 636. It was during this time that he lost his beloved mother on Christmas Eve 1945.

He was a graduate of O'Fallon Township High School, class of 1942 and LaSalle Extension University studying hotel management, 1970. He also attended photography school immediately after the war.

As a youth, he delivered newspapers in O'Fallon and at Scott Field and later, before World War II, worked in the kitchens at Scott Field. After the war, he was asst. manager at B & G Foods Restaurant in Chicago. In 1954 he started working at O'Fallon Tool & Die Co. and later Illinois Specialty as shipping and receiving supervisor and truck driver until 1984. He then worked at Ford Tool Steels in St. Louis until his retirement in 1987. During this time he also moonlighted at the airport Ramada Inn and Warwick Motor Hotel in St. Louis, Great Western Motel in Maryville and the Park & Shop and Trailways Motel in Fairview Heights.
On Jun. 29, 1963 he married Lutheran schoolteacher Norma L. Maddalino of Collinsville, Ill., whom he dearly loved, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville.

Ralph was committed to giving back to O'Fallon through community service. He was a past president of the O'Fallon Homecoming Association, the O'Fallon Toastmaster's Club and O'Fallon Jaycees. He was past chairman of Teen Town in O'Fallon and the Jaycees baseball program. He was also past chairman of the O'Fallon City Cemetery Board and long-time O'Fallon City Cemetery lot salesman. His knowledge of the cemetery was unsurpassed and the records he compiled over the years invaluable. He grew up in the O'Fallon Evangelical Church (U.C.C.), teaching Sunday School for many years but joined the Lutheran Church when he married. He was first congregation president and one of the founders of Faith Lutheran Church in O'Fallon.

Ralph was a charter member of the O'Fallon Historical Society and spent countless hours greeting visitors and volunteering at the Society's museum. His knowledge of O'Fallon history was profound and he delighted in sharing what he knew with others. He was a proud charter member of the O'Fallon Veterans' Monument Assn. and never missed the biannual name dedication ceremonies. He was also a regular fixture at Memorial Day services at O'Fallon City Cemetery. He was a member of Fischer-Sollis Post, American Legion and was a trustee of the St. Joseph's Burial Assn. (Keppler Cemetery). In 2003 he was given the Community Service Award by Enterprise Grange. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Fairview Heights.
Ralph enjoyed digging into local history. He loved working with wood and making things, especially at the O'Fallon museum. He also hand crafted seasonal decorations for his cousin Arline Magee who proudly displayed them on her farmhouse fence on Scott-Troy Rd. He delighted in the times he spent in his workshop with his Newfoundland dogs, Colt and Chester. And he adored his grandson, Tommy, who meant the world to him.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Elizabeth "Lizzie," nee Walter Collins, Keller; stepmother, Lucille M., nee Hasson, Schau Keller and brothers Raymond F., Earl W. and Paul J. Keller.

He is survived by his wife, Norma L., nee Maddalino, Keller of O'Fallon; children Brian J. Keller and Elizabeth "Liz" A. (Larry) Fulford, both of O'Fallon; grandson Thomas "Tommy" J. Fulford of O'Fallon; brother, Harold E. "Satch" (Dolores) Keller of O'Fallon and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Memorials may be given to the O'Fallon Historical Society; Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Collinsville; St. Joseph's Burial Assn. (Keppler Cemetery) or a charity of the donor's choice.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Friday, October 26, 2012 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, Washington and Lincoln Sts., O'Fallon, and from 9:00 – 10:00 am, Saturday, at the church.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2012, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 5600 Old Collinsville Rd., Fairview Heights, with Reverend Jeff Hemmer and Chaplain Doug Nicely officiating. Interment will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered.