Charles Keller

Charles “Charlie” A. Keller, 74, of Jonesboro, died Friday, May 2, 2008, at St. Bernard’s Medical Center. He lived most of his life in Jonesboro and was a member and elder at the First Christian Church. Charlie was a past member of the Jonesboro Rotary Club, a Shriner and was on the Jonesboro City Council during the 1960’s. He taught school for the Jonesboro Public School System, was owner and operator of Keller Sporting Goods and numerous other business ventures.

Charlie played basketball at the University of Kentucky in 1951 – 52 under the leadership of Adolph Rupp. He played AAA ball in the Texas League playing in Houston, Omaha and Fresno California before moving up to the majors and playing for the St. Louis Cardinals for six-years. As a referee for over fifty years, he called high school football and basketball games and college basketball games and was elected to the Arkansas Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2001. As a referee, he worked in the Mississippi Valley Conference, the SEC, SWC, Big 8 and the Big 10.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Jewel Keller, one sister Janet Avis and a grandson, Christopher Reeves. Mr. Keller is survived by two sons, Chuck Keller and Craig VanSkaik, both of Los Angeles, California; two daughters, Kathy Hahn and her husband, Michael of Gulf Shores, Alabama; Cheryl Reeves, Jonesboro; six grandchildren, Kaki Hurley and husband Chris, Knoxville, Tennessee; Chelsey Reeves, Chloe Reeves, of Jonesboro; Carly VanSkaik, Wills, VanSkaik, and Louis VanSkaik all of Los Angeles; three great grandchildren, Cindi Kate Hurley, England Hurley, and Isaac Hurley, all of Knoxville; nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends including his close friend Barbara Wood.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M., Monday, May 5, 2008 at First Christian Church with Reverend Jerry Wilcox officiating and burial to follow at Keller’s Chapel Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Pallbearers are Tom McDonald, Andy Palimino, Andy Anderson, Craig McDaniel, Jim Keller, J. B. Brown, Mike Dunigan, and Bob Seale. Honorary pallbearers are the Elders and Diaconates of First Christian Church, Danny Johnson, Burnis Posey, Pat Richardson, Carla Sanders, Courtney Teague, Steve Hathcock, Jeremy Wycough, Russ Miller, Justin Cook, Bobby Sloan, Randy Proctor, and Dr. James Rogers.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family request you please consider the Christopher Reeves Memorial Hunt Fund, % Simmons Bank, 1720 S. Caraway Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401, or St. Bernard’s Hospice, 2813 Forrest Home Road, Jonesboro, Arkansas, 72401.

Visitation will be from 4 – 6 Sunday, May 4, 2008 at Emerson Memorial Chapel. To sign an online registry, go to www.emersonfuenralhome.com.