Earl J. Keeler Sr., 87, of Crooked Street, Broadalbin, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 7, 2018, at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady.
He was born in Ballston Spa on January 15, 1931, a son of John and Bell Castle Keeler and attended local schools. Earl was a lifelong area resident and lived in the town of Galway for sixty-three years.
He was a graduate of the Army Engineer Training Center in Belvoir, VA and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Mr. Keeler owned and operated Keeler Sand & Gravel Co. from 1958 to 1982. He later served as the Superintendent of Highways for the town of Galway for twelve years and was a former president of the Saratoga County Highway Superintendent Association. Earl and his wife, Phyllis, owned the Cook Museum of Local History in Galway.
Earl served as a volunteer for many years at the Barkersville Christian Church and at the Sacandaga Bible Conference, where he served on the Board of Directors and was involved with Operation Christian Child. He was a member of the Gideon’s International, Saratoga Camp.
Earl loved helping people and enjoyed working on and operating heavy equipment and tractors. He also enjoyed building things and had a great appreciation of animals.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis White Keeler, whom he married on July 28, 1956; two children, Earl A. (Jeannine) Keeler of Cadiz, KY, and Kathy (Michael) Guzman of Orlando, FL; three grandchildren, Eric (Brittany) Keeler, Aimee Keeler, and Andrew (Amanda) Poltorak; and nine great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home Inc., 111 County Highway (corner of Route 29 and Black Street), Johnstown, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will be in Foster Hill Cemetery, Galway. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon’s International, Sacandaga Bible Conference, Galway Community Library, Galway Preservation Society, Galway Ambulance Corps, Galway Fire Company, or the Greater Galway Community Pantry, in care of the funeral home.
