Donald Lee Keller, age 91, passed away peacefully January 19, 2010, at home with his family in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after a valiant battle with cancer. Don?s spent his early childhood in East Baltimore and later in Govans, where he loved to play baseball and softball. He graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in1938. Don received a scholarship to St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, but was unable to attend due to other obligations. However, he remained a voracious reader and a lover of great books throughout his lifetime. Don worked as a tool maker at the Glen L. Martin Company in Middle River until his military service, serving in the United States Army during World War II as a 95th Infantry Division soldier, including service at the Battle of the Bulge. He later received his Bachelor's Degree in accounting from the College of Commerce (University of Baltimore) and was subsequently employed as an accountant for the U.S. Department of Treasury until his retirement in 1979. He was selected as the Treasurer of the Optimist Club and was active at all fund raiser events. Don enjoyed a long and happy retirement, first with his wife Lee (Fennelly), and later with his partner Tootie (Merkle). At age 80, he left his Idlewyld row house of 44 years and re-located to Ft. Myers, Florida. Throughout his retirement, he continued to be active, enjoying tennis, golf and swimming. He rode his bicycle daily until the last few months of his life. Don also loved travelling and enjoyed many trips during his lifetime, including most recently a Caribbean cruise for his 90th birthday celebration. Don had resided in Ft. Myers Florida for the last 10 years and had only recently lived with his son and daughter-in-law in Santa Fe. He was preceded in death in 1994 by his beloved wife of 51 years, Lillian "Lee" Fennelly Keller, his parents William H. and Rachel Warren Keller, sister Virginia Benson, brothers Warren L. Keller and William A. Keller and nephew Douglas Keller. He was also preceded in death in 2006 by his dear partner and companion Addie Mae "Tootie" Merkle, also of Baltimore and Ft. Myers, Florida. Don was a kind, gentle man who loved and cared deeply for his family and was a person who could always be counted on to help others whenever he could. Though quiet and reserved in demeanor, he had a big heart and a luminous smile that lit up the room. Don is survived by his son Richard L. Keller and wife Anna Pat of Santa Fe; grandchildren Richard L. Keller, Jr. and wife Tricia of Milwaukie, Oregon,

Funeral Arrangements

Friends may call the the family-owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., 6500 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 on Tuesday, January 26th from 12 to 1:00 P.M. at which time a service will be held at 1:00 P.M.

Interment Arrangements

Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

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