Joe Keller

Joe Keller, 88, a life long resident of Quincy passed away on Sunday at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.

He was born on September 15, 1916 in Burke, (George) Wash., to Tony and Thecla (Andres) Keller. He grew up north of Quincy and worked in wheat fields north of town driving teams of horses during the summer and also worked in the fruit orchards east of Quincy.

During World War II he worked at Boeing in Seattle as a riveter for 4 years on the B-17 and B-29 airplanes. After the war, he returned to Quincy. He married Rose Ziuchkovski on June 5, 1949 at the Burke Catholic Church.

Joe worked for the Schorzman's with the pull combines in the hills and the Cedergreen's during pea harvest. He also worked on Grand Coulee Dam doing construction. In 1948 he went to work for Quincy Farmers Elevator, which was bought out by Western Farmers. He worked there until he became ill with farmer's lung. After he recovered, he went to work for the City of Quincy and then Grant County Road District on the survey crew until 1981 when he retired.

Joe was a member of St. Pious X Catholic Church in Quincy, a member of the Moose Lodge, the Lions Club, Washington State Grange, former Quincy City Councilman, and former Quincy Cemetery Commissioner and was a member of the Grant County Fire District #3 for 35 years. He was also an avid gardener.

He is survived by is wife Rose Keller; daughters, Joleen (Leonard) Bland of Othello and Arlene (Jim) Foglesong of Quincy; sons, Tom (Mary) Keller, John (Sara) Keller and Bob (Karen) Keller all of Quincy. Ten grandchildren: Troy Bland of Albion, Ryan Keller stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Craig and Lisa Foglesong, Jenny, Stephanie, Cory, Amber, Chase and Kaylee Keller all of Quincy and 4 great-grandchildren. Sisters, Marge Neumann, Bernie Hale, and Dolores Fortier all of Quincy also survive him.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Eleanor Burns and grandsons Ty and Eric Bland and Jay Foglesong.

Rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at St. Pious X Catholic Church, with Mass of the Christian Burial is being celebrated on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Pious X Catholic Church in Quincy. Celebrant will be Father Mario Salazar. Concluding services and interment will follow in the Quincy Valley Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the Grant County Fire District #3.

Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Chapel in Quincy in charge of arrangements.