Steven Paul Keller, age 67, of St. Louis County, Missouri, born October 11, 1951 in Belleville, Illinois, passed away Sunday, December 2, 2018 at his home.

Steve grew up in O'Fallon, graduating from OTHS Class of 1969. He served in the US Army Reserves as a young man and attended BAC studying journalism. While working part-time as a sportswriter for the Belleville News-Democrat, he also worked in radio broadcasting for Sparta, Illinois WHCO 1230 radio, announcing area sporting events and the morning show. He later began a successful 25-year career with Venture Stores, starting as a cart attendant and working his way up through management. Steve was instrumental in the opening of new stores and managed Venture Stores in Fairview Heights, Cape Girardeau, and Creve Coeur. In 1996, along with his partner Debee Alex, he began operating Happy Tails, Inc. in his home, which evolved into a full-service, open environment, canine enrichment center with a facility in St. Louis County. Steve was very proud of Happy Tails, happy to be working with Debee and the animals every day.

Steve was a Dale Carnegie Course awardee. He enjoyed travelling, golfing, spending time with his granddaughter Grace, and was a loyal fan of the St. Louis Blues.

He is survived by his long-time loving companion Debee Alex of St. Louis County, Mo.; his daughter Caitlin (Brandon) Keller Marchand & her daughter Gracyn Victoria Keller of Lake St. Louis, Mo.; his parents Harold "Satch" and Dolores "Dee," nee Munie, Keller of O'Fallon; his sisters Kathy (Rick) Davis of St. Peters, Mo., Mary Beth (Greg) Lippold of Chandler, Ariz., and Chrisie (Tom) Haase of Chatham, Ill., and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial donations are appreciated to the St. Nicholas Catholic Church Building Fund, as Masses, or to Got Your Six Support Dogs.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 4 – 8 p.m., Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W Washington St., O'Fallon; and from 9:30 – 10:30 am, Thursday, December 6, 2018 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 am, Thursday, December 6, 2018 at the church with Msgr. William J. Hitpas presiding. Burial to follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery, O'Fallon, Illinois.