John Paul Keller

John Paul Keller, 76, of Parsons, Tennessee, formerly of Anna, died on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at Decatur County Hospital in Parsons, Tennessee. He was born on October 2, 1942 to Donald Herbert Keller and Helen Pickles Keller. Dad wore many hats during his long productive life, but his favorite job was being a salesman. Whether selling insurance, cars, or grain bins, he loved selling so much he always marveled that people paid him to do it. What he loved most about the job was interacting with other people and telling stories. You couldn’t go anywhere in the Southeastern or Mid United States where he didn’t know someone or knew where the good restaurant was. As a result of selling grain bins for over 40 years, he would always point out grain bins that he was involved with while crossing the by ways and highways of America. Dad’s job involved a tremendous amount of driving for which he was well known. He would often meet with farmers one day, drive all night and meet with others the next day 100’s of miles away. Even after his retirement, he was always up for a trip and always in a hurry to get there. We sometimes referred to him as “gotta go.” When not working, he enjoyed fishing and golfing. You would be hard pressed to meet a crappie fisherman that knew more about it than he. He would always remind us “if you aren’t getting hung up, you won’t catch any fish.” When it came to golf, he was one of the few I ever saw wearing cowboy boots on greens at the Union County Country Club. Dad was born and grew up here in Anna, Illinois and graduated A-J High school in 1960. Following graduation he served in the United States Army Reserves for 6 years. About 30 years ago, he moved to Central Tennessee, where he continued to live the remainder of his life. He referred to the people that lived on his hill with him outside of Parsons, Tennessee as his family. He always went out of his way to help out those around him. In the family, we referred to him as the reform school where we sent members for help. His door was always open. Others felt he went too far and people took advantage of his good nature, but he would explain he didn’t want to go to his grave thinking that he might have helped out someone but hadn’t. He was an active member of Sardis Ridge Baptist Church in Parsons, TN, where he volunteered often for building projects. Dad enjoyed a relatively healthy life and never allowed anything or anyone to slow him down. He is survived by his son, Tim Keller (Elaina) and children, Sydney Waters, Sailor Waters, Rosemary Waters, Elias Keller, Soren Keller, and Will Keller, his daughter Becky Hebel (Robert) and children, Samantha Nelson (Jedidiah) and children, Tatum and Caleb, Brandi Grice (Tommy), his sister Linda Kay Lence (Jim), and their family, Jeff Lence (Debbie), Jeffrey Lence, Jeffrey Lence, Reese Lence, Kylee Angel, Guinevere Angel, Eleanor Angel, Levi Lence, Brian Lence, Sabrina Lence, Chris Lence (Debbie), special cousin, Mike Keller (Marilyn) and other cousins and relatives. Visitation will be from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. John’s life will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 31, 2018 at Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro. Those attending are invited to share a story about John. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Hall Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Hall Cemetery or American Diabetes Association and will be accepted at the funeral home.

John Paul Keller

October 2, 1942 - December 27, 2018