Donald L. “Shorty” Keller, 94 of Versailles, Ohio, passed away on Sunday February 26, 2023 at 5:32 AM at the Brethren Retirement Community. Shorty was born November 17, 1928 in Darke County, Ohio, the son of the late Daniel and Bessie (Tisor) Keller.
Shorty served his country honorably in the United States Navy. He worked for 25 years at the Versailles Schools in maintenance and as a bus driver; he then worked for the Village of Versailles for 8 years. In his younger years, he was a milkman and delivered to homes and businesses in Versailles. Shorty was a member of the Gettysburg Masonic Lodge # 477; the Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton; he loved to golf and was an avid Tigers fan.
Shorty is preceded in death by his parents; his wife June V. Keller on August 30, 2006 whom he married February 19, 1954; his daughters, Linda Ann Gummerson and Carol Jane Heft; his brothers, Melvin, Verl, Myron, Richard, and Raymond Keller; and his sisters, Shirley Schultz, and Mary Oakes.
Shorty is survived by his son-in-law and spouse, Mark and Mary Heft of Versailles; his grandchildren and spouses, Meghan and Matt Naveau, Melissa and Patrick Briody, and Michael Heft and Fiancée Jenny Bruns; his great grandchildren, Luke, and Emma Naveau, Maeve, Leo, and Isabel Briody; his brother and sister in law, Zane and Connie Keller of Ansonia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday March 4, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home, Versailles, Ohio with Rev. Dr. Fred Bernhard officiating. Burial with Veterans Honors being conducted by the Versailles Veterans Honor Guard will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday March 3, 2023 and 1 hour prior to services on Saturday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic Memorial Service will be conducted by the Gettysburg Masonic Lodge #477 at 6:45 PM on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Versailles Area Emergency Services. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Keller family.
