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Judge John W. Keller

March 15, 1927 - April 19, 2012
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

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“Of all the Judges I was personally involved with, John Keller ranked at the top. In my involvement he at least listened and ruled according to the...Read More » ”
1 of 17 | Posted by: Ronald Christopher

“John, Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. In my 38 years of law enforcement, I never met a fairer judge than Judge Keller. ”
2 of 17 | Posted by: Terry Seilhamer - Butler, PA

“I was saddened when I heard of the Judge's passing.I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family. May God Bless. Ray & RJ Wetzel ”
3 of 17 | Posted by: Ray Wetzel - Rotonda West, FL

“My deepest sympathy to the family of Judge Keller. Please know that he was thought of as an honorable man and Judge who served his community with...Read More » ”
4 of 17 | Posted by: Frances Papoutsis-Valora - MD

“We were sorry to hear of Judge Keller's passing. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. God bless you. ”
5 of 17 | Posted by: Charlie & Angie (Pencek) Standridge - PA

“John, My prayers are with you and your family at this time. I always admired and respected your Dad. I have fond memories of the stories when our...Read More » ”
6 of 17 | Posted by: Sheryl Melville - PA

“I am sorry to see Jack's passing. It is not only a lost of your father; but a lost of the last of the Keller/Nicodemus generatoin. I was always...Read More » ”
7 of 17 | Posted by: Dan Arthur - Waynesboro, Pa 17268, PA

“To the Keller Family: I was sad to hear of Judge Keller's passing. I have fond memories growing up at ELC, and to this day, of Judge Keller. He...Read More » ”
8 of 17 | Posted by: Emmy (Cordell) Myers - Waynesboro, PA

“The community will miss this wonderful man. His legacy continues John and Dave, and their families. May the memories of your time together embrace...Read More » ”
9 of 17 | Posted by: Tricia Stum - Waynesboro, PA

“Our sympathy to the entire Keller family. May our Heavenly Father give you strength and comfort during the difficult days ahead. ”
10 of 17 | Posted by: Ron and Kathy (Musey) Swope - PA

“Dear Family Will be thinking of you all, and keeping you in our prayers. He was a very special person, and will really be missed. Ruth & Wayne...Read More » ”
11 of 17 | Posted by: Ruth Gembe - Waynesboro, PA

“Keller's, I am sorry to hear about your loss. Your family is a wonderful reflection of Judge Keller. I wish you all the best through this time. ...Read More » ”
12 of 17 | Posted by: Mike Riemenschneider - Raleigh, NC

“My deepest sympathies to you for the loss of your father. He truly made an impact on everyone that knew him, and was a tremendous asset to both the...Read More » ”
13 of 17 | Posted by: Roberta (Geer) Varney - FL

“I was saddened to hear of Judge Keller's passing. I have many fond memories of him at the football games w'his family & sitting across from him every...Read More » ”
14 of 17 | Posted by: Darla L Tornow - Norfolk, VA

“I had the pleasure of working with Judge Keller on the RCI committee. He was a wonderful caring and generous man. He will be greatly missed by all...Read More » ”
15 of 17 | Posted by: Brenda Illi - PA

“I have many fond memories of being at WCC pool with Judge Keller's beloved wife. Judge Keller's smile and quiet confidence helped me during a jury...Read More » ”
16 of 17 | Posted by: Carol A. Henicle - Waynesboro, PA

“Judge Keller will be remembered for so many things, but his kindness toward us and our boys is a special treasure we shall always keep. How blessed...Read More » ”
17 of 17 | Posted by: Gay and Biff Hollowell - NJ

Judge John W. Keller, of Waynesboro, died peacefully on April 19, 2012. He had been residing at Penn Hall in Chambersburg, and was critically ill for several weeks. Judge Keller, known as "Jack" or "Kelly" by his close friends, was born in Waynesboro March 15, 1927 to Eva (Nicodemus) Keller and Niemond F. Keller, a Waynesboro attorney. His grandfather was Jeremiah Keller, a Judge in Juniata County. Judge Keller was a graduate of Waynesboro High School in 1944, where he was co-captain of the football team. He began dating his future wife, Margaret "Peggy" or "Margie" (Etchberger) Keller after she defeated him in the election for Class President. After high school, he served in the United States Army through the remainder of World War II, following which he went on to graduate from Gettysburg College in 1948. Judge Keller graduated from Dickinson School of Law in 1951 and began his legal career in practice with his father in Waynesboro, as the law firm of Keller and Keller. Judge Keller held numerous public positions, including Borough Attorney of Waynesboro and Solicitor for Franklin County. He served on numerous community service boards, including President of the Waynesboro Area School Authority, as President of the Board of Directors of the Waynesboro Chamber of Commerce, as a Director of the Waynesboro Industrial Development Authority, as a Director of the Waynesboro YMCA, and as a Director of the Franklin County Bar Association and of the Pennsylvania Borough Solicitors Association. Judge Keller was especially active in Renfrew, Inc. and with Renfrew Park, Waynesboro. He was an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waynesboro, where he served on the Church Council and as a Sunday school teacher. Judge Keller was elected as a delegate to the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, which rewrote the Commonwealth's Constitution in 1967-1968. He was appointed Judge of the 39th Judicial District by Governor Shafer in 1968, and was subsequently elected and then retained until his retirement in 1992. Thereafter, he served as a Senior Judge. Judge Keller is survived by two sons, John N. Keller and his wife, Martha Dudley Keller, and David S. Keller and his wife, Dawn Fischetti Keller, all of Waynesboro. His three beloved grandchildren, Alexis Keller Sheard and her husband Rod of Mae Sot, Thailand, John Belding "Jeb" Keller of Waynesboro, and Katherine Ann Keller of Salt Lake City, Utah Services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday April 25, 2012 in Evangelical Lutheran Church, 43 South Church Street, Waynesboro, with the Rev. Dennis Beaver officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, April 24th, in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 South Broad Street, Waynesboro. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a tree be planted in memory and honor of Judge Keller or memorial contributions be made to The Margaret E. Keller Endowment Fund, C/O Renfrew Institute, 1010 East Main Street, Waynesboro PA 17268 or the charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com

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Visitation

April 24, 2012
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home
50 S. Broad St.
Waynesboro, PA 17268
(717) 762-2811

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Funeral Service

April 25, 2012
1:30 PM

Evangelical Lutheran Church
43 South Church Street
Waynesboro, PA 17268
(717) 762-9151

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Interment

April 25, 2012
2:30 PM

Green Hill Cemetery
953 South Potomac St.
Waynesboro, PA 17268
(717) 762-2759

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Memories & Candles

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Of all the Judges I was personally involved with, John Keller ranked at the top. In my involvement he at least listened and ruled according to the law.

Posted by: Ronald Christopher Apr 23, 2013

John, Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. In my 38 years of law enforcement, I never met a fairer judge than Judge Keller.

Posted by: Terry Seilhamer - Butler, PA May 07, 2012

I was saddened when I heard of the Judge's passing.I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family. May God Bless. Ray & RJ Wetzel

Posted by: Ray Wetzel - Rotonda West, FL Apr 30, 2012

My deepest sympathy to the family of Judge Keller. Please know that he was thought of as an honorable man and Judge who served his community with integrity. May God rest his soul.

Posted by: Frances Papoutsis-Valora - Cascade, MD Apr 25, 2012

We were sorry to hear of Judge Keller's passing. Our prayers are with you at this difficult time. God bless you.

Posted by: Charlie & Angie (Pencek) Standridge - Waynesboro, PA Apr 24, 2012

John, My prayers are with you and your family at this time. I always admired and respected your Dad. I have fond memories of the stories when our parents were our age. May God bless you and provide you comfort in this time of sorrow.

Posted by: Sheryl Melville - PA Apr 24, 2012

I am sorry to see Jack's passing. It is not only a lost of your father; but a lost of the last of the Keller/Nicodemus generatoin. I was always glad to see Jack. May he rest in peace.

Posted by: Dan Arthur - Waynesboro, Pa 17268, PA Apr 23, 2012

To the Keller Family: I was sad to hear of Judge Keller's passing. I have fond memories growing up at ELC, and to this day, of Judge Keller. He will be greatly missed. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Emmy (Cordell) Myers - Waynesboro, PA Apr 23, 2012

The community will miss this wonderful man. His legacy continues John and Dave, and their families. May the memories of your time together embrace you during this difficult time. In sympathy,

Posted by: Tricia Stum - Waynesboro, PA Apr 23, 2012

Our sympathy to the entire Keller family. May our Heavenly Father give you strength and comfort during the difficult days ahead.

Posted by: Ron and Kathy (Musey) Swope - Fayetteville, PA Apr 23, 2012

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Judge John W. Keller

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