KELLER, Helen Louise Stetler
Source: ? Newspaper -- article found in an old book full of obituaries
Veedersburg - Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Louise Keller, age 32, of Veedersburg, who died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday Nov 4 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Danville Ill of injuries sustained in a gas explosion at her home were held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Fishero Funeral Home here. The Rev. Elmer Patterson and Rev. Edgar Ray officiated and burial at Riverside Cemetery, Attica. Mrs. Keller was born June 10, 1932 in Attica, daughter of Raymond and Ruth Riley Stetler. She was married Aug 24, 1949 to Walter Keller who is in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Hospital with 3rd degree burns over 50% of his body sustained in the same explosion. She had been employed at Plasteen at Crawfordsville. She was a member of the Stone Bluff Church of Nazarene. Surviving in addition to the husband are one daughter, Cindy and four sons, David, Billy, Kevin and Howard, all at home; her parents; five brothers, Robert Stetler of Denver, Colo; Lloyd of Attica; Carl of Lexington Ky; Larry of Attica and Jerry in the Army in Germany and two sisters, Mrs. Virginia Ping of Covington and Mrs. Letha Serie of Attica.
Source: ? Newspaper -- article found in an old book full of obituaries
Veedersburg - A 32-year-old man whose wife was killed Tuesday afternoon in an explosion at their home was still in critical conition Thursday at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Danville, Ill. He is Walter Keller, father of 5 children. He suffered burns about his face, stomach, arms and hands. His wife, Helen Keller, 30, was burned over most of her body. She died at the hospital about 10 hours after two explosions rocked the home in the northeast section of town. Authorities said the children were not hurt. Firemen believed the couple was in the basement near the heater when the blasts occured. Damage was limited to the area around the heater, fireman said. According to neighbors, the family's only girl, Cindy, 12 was in the living room at the time of the explosions. The four boys were believed to have been outside. Mrs. Keller was born at Attica June 10, 1932 to Raymond and Ruth Stetler. She married Walter on August 24, 1949. Surviving are five children: David 14; Billy 13; Cindy 12; Kevin 9 and Howard 7; five brothers Robert Stetler of Denver, Colo; Lloyd and Larry Stetler of Attica; Carl Stetler of Lexington Ky and Jerry Stetler in Germany with the Army; two sisters, Mrs. Virginia Ping of Covington and Mrs. Letha Serie of Attica. Mrs. Keller was a member of the Church of the Nazarene at Stone Bluff and worked at the Plastene Corporation in Crawfordsville. Funeral services for Mrs. Keller will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Fishero Funeral Home, Rev. Elmer Patterson will be assisted by Rev. Edgar Ray. Friends may call at the funeral home after 6 p.m. Thursday. Burial in Riverside Cemetery, Attica.
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review,
November 4, 1964
VEEDERSBURG – A 30-year-old
mother of five small children is dead and her husband is in critical condition
in St. Elizabeth Hospital at Danville. Ill., as a result of two explosions in
their home here late Tuesday afternoon. Mrs. Helen Keller, who suffered burns
over most of her body, died in the hospital at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, about 10
hours after the explosions rocked the Keller home in the northeast section of
town. Her husband, Walter, 32, was listed in critical condition Wednesday
night. He suffered burns about his face, stomach, arms and hands and shock.
Authorities, who have had difficulty in piecing together details of the tragedy
because the victims were unable to be questioned due to the severity of their
injuries, said neighbors heard two explosions in the Keller home about 4:30.
They said the initial blast was followed almost immediately by another
explosion. When firemen arrived at the scene, they found Mrs. Keller lying on
the lawn, badly burned over most of her body and in a semiconscious condition.
Her husband, also severely burned and in a state of shock, was wandering
nearby. They were rushed by ambulance to the Danville hospital. Firemen believe
a gas leak in the water heater in the basement triggered the initial blast. The
upstairs portion of the home was not damaged, although the house was nearly
blown off its foundation. The only fire, which was minor and was quickly
extinguished by members of the Volunteer Fire Department, was found burning
near the water heater. Firemen believed the couple was in the basement near the
heater when the blasts occurred. Damage was limited to the area around the
heater, firemen said. According to neighbors, the family’s only girl, Cindy,
12, was in the living room at the time of the explosions. The four boys were
believed to have been playing outside. Mrs. Keller was born at Attica June 10,
1932, to Raymond and Ruth Riley Stetler. She married Walter Keller on Aug. 24,
1949. Surviving are five children, David 14, Billy 13, Cindy 12, Kevin 9 and
Howard 7; five brothers, Robet Stetler of Denver, Lloyd and Larry Stetler of
Attica, Carl Stetler of Lexington, Ky., and Jerry Stetler, in Germany with the
Army; two sisters, Mrs. Virginia Ping of Covington and Mrs. Letha Serrie of
Attica. Mrs. Keller was a member of the Church of the Nazarene at Stone Bluff
and worked at the Plastene Corp. in Crawfordsville. The body was taken to the
Fishero Funeral Home in Veedersburg where arrangements are pending the arrival
of the brother from Germany. – jlr
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review,
November 5, 1964
Rites for Mrs. Helen Keller, who
died early Wednesday of burns suffered in a gas explosion at her home Tuesday
afternoon, are set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Fishero Funeral Home. Rev. Elmer
Patterson will be assisted by Rev. Edgar Ray. Friends may call at the funeral
home. The casket is closed. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery at Attica. Her
husband, Walter, also badly burned in the blast, remained in critical condition
late Thursday night in St. Elizabeth Hospital at Danville, Ill. – jlr
File Created: 21 August 2010