Russell W. Keller

Russell W. Keller, 74, of North Lawrence, OH died Oct. 31, 2016 in hospice nursing care in Westerville, OH. He was born February 21, 1942 in Pinconning, MI to Mary (Hutek) and Charles Wesley Keller. Russell was preceded in death first by his youngest son, John R. Keller (29) and his wife Kathleen Marie (Murphy) Keller (64.) Russ will be deeply missed by his three surviving children; daughter Anne E. Swatzell of Westerville, OH, David W. Keller of Navarre, OH and Michael and Beverly Keller of Reynoldsburg, OH. Russ will also be deeply missed by his four grandchildren Joseph R. Swatzell, Mary E. Swatzell, Autumn R. Keller, and Noreen E. Keller. Russ grew up on a farm in the area of Bentley, MI and went on to graduate from Michigan State University. Russ loved to build things and to take on big projects. As a young man he built dune buggies that would be driven in the sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan. When the Vietnam War came along, Russ voluntarily enlisted into the Navy and served in Vietnam on the USS Oriskany aircraft carrier as a radar operator. Russ worked for several technical operations in his career including starting and operating two kit car companies, and working for Fisher Auto Body, American Mine Door Company, and eventually retiring from The Timken Company (Research Division) after 21 years. Russ was never afraid to tackle a new project or endeavor and had hobbies including furniture building, automotive design and fabrication, golf, slot car racing, and model railroading. In 1989 Russ designed and built his own house in North Lawrence, OH. Russ will be laid in final rest alongside wife Kathy and his son John at Brookfield Cemetery in Massillon, OH. Friends may call and pay tribute on Friday from 12 noon -2:00 p.m. at Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon, OH. A service to commemorate his life will take place at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of any flowers the family suggests donations be made to a local Habitat for Humanity, or a charity of your choice in Russ Keller's name.