John was born in a little prairie town of Colorado called Ft. Lupton, just northeast of Denver. His mother died soon after his birth. So his aunt in Denver helped her brother, John’s dad, who already had four girls to raise alone now, by taking care of John during the week; but on weekends, he would go home and be cared for by his doting sisters – Leila, Mildred, Margie and Virginia. Life was good – he had the best of both worlds – city life and country life.
As a young man of 18, he joined the Army and was sent all the way across the country to Atlanta, Georgia to the Army Depot at Ft. Gillem. It was there he met a Georgia peach named Grace Parker and fell in love. Their love remained strong throughout the 54 years God gave them together – and is demonstrated by the legacy they have left….
· Three children (1 daughter & 2 sons),
· Four grandsons & three granddaughters,
· Eight great grandsons & two great granddaughters,
· One sister, two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and
· Numerous nieces and nephews.
As John was about to be discharged from the Army in 1947, he and Grace met Pastor Jimmie Mayo, Sr and rented their first home from him – an apartment in the old “Green Palace,” across the street from the Washington Street Assembly of God. They became involved in the activities and ministries of the church serving as Sunday School Teachers, Royal Ranger Leader, Deacon, playing the big bass fiddle, and other areas. John remained faithful for 67 years in his attendance until recent health issues made it difficult for him to attend the services, though he still supported the church financially.
After losing his wife to cancer twelve years ago, God sent another special lady into his life – Marge Spikes. She helped to fill the void left by Grace and the family would like to thankfully acknowledge the years of happiness that she brought to John.
There are many wonderful and true things that can be said about John, but I think they could all be summed up in two words – faithfulness and love. He was faithful to God, faithful to his wife and family, a faithful friend, faithful to his church, and on and on, and that faithfulness was the result of the Love that lived within him. What truer manifestation of God’s love within an individual then the characteristic of faithfulness! Just recently, God honored that faithfulness when he said to John, “Welcome home, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys that I have prepared for you!” And God wrapped his arms of love around John and escorted him through the gates of Heaven.
Legacy:
Survived By:
Daughter – Levena (Rick) Hemmle
Son – Steve Kellerman
Seven Grandchildren –
Mark Kellerman, Kathy (Kenny) Hamm , Suzanne (Joel) Edwards, Mike (Samantha) Karr, Jennifer (Josh) Duncan, Matt Kellerman, Sam (Amy) Kellerman
Eight Great Grandchildren –
Caleb Daffron, Savannah Karr, Bryan Edwards, Mason Edwards, Ben Edwards, Owen Duncan, Parker Kellerman, Harper Duncan, Lenora Grace Kellerman (on the way)
Sister – Margie Imhof
Brothers-in-Law - Rev. Raymond (Bonita) Parker and Dabney Bracken
Sisters-in-Law - Bonita Parker and Catherine Bracken
Many nieces and nephews from coast to coast
Preceded in Death by: Parents (John & Leila Kellerman), four sisters (Leila Hockley, Eunice Kellerman, Mildred Boyer, & Virginia Dreher), Wife of 54 years (Grace Kellerman), Son (Frank Kellerman) and Son-in-law (Tommy Karr).
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