Roland George Keeling

Roland George Keeling, son of Lena (Wilkins) Keeling and George Keeling, was born on February 28, 1929, at Eminence, Missouri. Roland passed away peacefully at the home of his son, Ron, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, May 29. 2018, in St. Charles, Missouri, making his age 89 years and 90 days. He was united in marriage to Mary Maxfield on October 19, 1950 in Arkansas. To their union, four children were born: Rhonda, Deborah, Michael, and Ronald. Roland was preceded in death by his parents, Lena and George Keeling; his wife, Mary, of 61 years; his four brothers: Roger, Reaber, Rural, and Radford; his sister, Thela; sisters-in-law: Bessie, Aileen, Etta, and Louise; brother-in-law, Elmo; nieces Estalee and Imogene; nephews G.L., J.R., Stanley, and Gary.

Roland is survived by his daughters and their husbands Rhonda and Joe Benfatto, of Lake St. Louis and Debbie and Larry Fenton, of O’Fallon; his son, Michael, and wife, Jolene, of Chesterfield; his son, Ron, of St. Charles. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Erin, Lauren, Eric, Kristen, and Ryan. Roland is also survived by his great-granddaughter, Natalie Mae, and her expected sister, Coraline Laine in November. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, Eileen Keeling, and Juanita Chrisco; his brother-in-law, Bill Chrisco, and many nieces and nephews.

Education was important to Roland. He attended college in Springfield, Mo. He taught in a one-room schoolhouse where he enjoyed teaching his students, including nieces and nephews. He was a great influence on his children; Rhonda and Debbie became teachers and both Mike and Ron became accountants. Roland later served in the Army during the Korean War where he was stationed in Alaska.

Roland enjoyed playing the mandolin with the Keeling quartet. He also loved spending time with his family: playing horseshoes and pitch games with friends and family, traveling with Bill, Juanita, and Alec and managing to bring back rocks from every place they went, deer hunting with his brothers and nephews, and turkey hunting with his brother Bob when they came upon a pond where they ambushed several turkeys. Roland’s brothers never let him forget the time he called up a tame turkey and killed it.

Roland lived and worked in St. Louis for many years. He later retired in Summersville where he enjoyed working in the yard and making a garden, even though Mary thought there were more rocks in his garden than vegetables.

Roland spent his later years living with his son, Ron. As he grew older, Ron was a patient caregiver and provided Roland with everything he needed. Dad lovingly referred to Ron as “the boss”. His home health care worker, Teresa, provided a nurturing environment. She and Dad became very close. Their efforts are greatly appreciated by Rhonda, Debbie, and Mike. We know that because of them, Roland’s last years were happy ones.

Roland accepted Jesus as his Savior. He is now reunited with Mary, his parents, and siblings. Even though he will be greatly missed, we know he is in a better place.