Boots retired from Belleville Elks Club BPOE 481 after 38 years of dedicated service. She was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, Belleville-Swansea Moose Lodge 1221, and the Belleville Exchange Club, where she had served as president.
Clarice was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Norman Keller, whom she married on October 18, 1943, and who died on June 21, 1991; her parents, John and Rose, nee Gausepohl, Schwellensattl; a brother, Harvey (Mary) Clinton; and a brother-in-law, Don Siddall.
Surviving are two daughters and a son, Carol (Hal) Smithson of Edwardsville, IL,
Cindi (Bill) Miles of Belleville, IL,
and Ronald (Lynn) Keller of Butler, IL;
six grandchildren, Kelly Keller, Pat (Gina) Miles, Mike (Sharon) Miles,
Amy (Frank) Landry, Emily (John) Gusewelle, and David Smithson;
10 great-grandchildren, Jessica (John) Draughn,
Taylor, Riten, Caleb, Andrew, and Rebecca Miles,
Amanda, Laura, and Brayden Gusewelle, and Zachary Landry;
a great-great-granddaughter, Kaelyn Draughn;
two sisters, Rita Siddall of Belleville, IL,
and Joan (Roland) Gooding of Lake Ozark, MO;
and nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, December 13, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with Msgr. David Darin officiating. In keeping with Clarice’s wishes, cremation was held. Private burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, IL, at a later date.
Condolences Left For Clarice “Boots” Keller
Sorry for your lose. You and your family are in our prayers.
Carla and Tony, Glen Carbon, IL, 62034
To Boots’ Family…..When I was a little girl my dad was active in the Elks and I loved Boots! She got me hooked on pickled Okra! She would bring me plates of it when we were at the old Elks by the Belleville News Democrat! To this day I always have a jar of Okra in my frig and I honestly think of her every time I buy it at the store! She was one of a kind! I am so sorry for your loss. I had not seen her in years but seeing her picture brought back many good memories. My sincere condolences to all of you. May she rest in peace…
Mary Barbara Kurtz
Mary Barbara Kurtz, Belleville, IL, 62220