James M. Keller's Obituary
DECATUR - James M. Keller, 74, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away on November 9, 2020 at Decatur Memorial Hospital surrounded by the love of his wife and his children.
Private family service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a future date.
Jim was born August 22, 1946 in Olney, Illinois to Marion and Viola (Kocher) Keller. He married Mary Sebok Burns Keller on May 17, 2008 in Decatur. Jim was a member of Ss James and Patrick Parish. He was an avid golfer, a diehard Chicago Cubs fan and loved to go fishing and boating. He and Mary enjoyed traveling each year. Jim proudly started working on computers when they took up entire rooms and spent his fifty year plus career evolving with the computer and electronics industry. Most recently he worked at Zentech. He was known affectionately as “The Wrench” for his unrivaled ability to fix just about anything electrical or mechanical. He was the best example of how to work hard and get the job done.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Sebok Burns Keller, his sister Judy and husband Paul Schrock of Arthur, his sister Sharon Stierwalt of Murpheysboro, his brother David and his wife Rhonda of Ste. Marie, and his six children: Julie Keller of Chicago, Brian Keller and his wife Christine of St. Louis, Joseph Keller and his wife Linda of Chicago, Michael Keller of Roselle, Emily Burns and her husband Brian Burns of Chicago, and Kevin Keller and his wife Jill Keller of Schaumburg, step sons Bradley (Amy) Burns of Champaign and Brian Burns and his wife Wittney Burns of Bethany. Additionally, he is survived by his grandchildren: Elise, Elena, Nora, Natalie, Harper, Kennedy, James, Drew, Charlie, Isaac, Shaukana, Wesson, Brinley and Quentin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Dr. Marc Stierwalt.
Jim’s true passion was spending time with his family and friends. He loved to travel to see his children and enjoyed vacationing with a special group of friends. He truly enjoyed his life to the fullest.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association
In deference to the pandemic, . . .
The family thanks the staff of the Intensive Care Unit of Decatur Memorial Hospital for their tireless, compassionate care of Jim.
Condolences and memories may be left at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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