Michael David Keller

Michael David Keller (Mike or “Big” Mike as his close family and friends called him) was born in Portland, Oregon on January 9, 1956 to Milton Herman and Anna Greta Keller. He was the oldest of four children. Michael attended schools in Parkrose and was a 1974 graduate of Parkrose High School. During high school he developed a love of working on cars and worked for Parkrose Auto until he graduated.

After high school, Mike started working for Bearing Service in NW Portland he worked there from 1976 to 1997. In 1997 Mike started working as a machinist for Halton, in 2010 Halton merged with Peterson-CAT where Mike was employed until his passing. He loved his job and was a highly respected employee for them.

Early on Mike developed a love of race cars, he spent many years working on pit crews at the Portland Speedway for different drivers. He decided to become a driver, he entered the circuit for one year but ended up that his passion was to help the drivers fix their cars, he loved that more than driving. Besides race cars Mike also loved fishing, he spent many Summers camping at Lake Billy Chinook with friends and fishing there, he also had several other favorite fishing spots. “The Garbage Hole” on the Sandy River by Dodge park was among his favorites. Mike was also blessed with brother in laws that fished in the ocean off the Oregon Coast, on one fishing trip he landed a 52lb halibut, one of his proudest moments was reeling the fish into the boat.

Mike married his loving wife Linda Vandecoevering Miller on July 20, 2002. They enjoyed traveling, some of their favorite places were Hawaii, Arizona and the Oregon Coast. They both also shared the love of a beautiful yard filled with numerous flowers, shrubs and a beautiful lawn. Their backyard was also a habitat for many varieties of birds and squirrels with the many feeders they placed in throughout the backyard. They enjoyed their morning coffee watching all the critters that visited. Both Linda and Mike loved having their 4 grandchildren over to spend family time. When the kids were little all four would climb up on bar stools and cheer on Grandpa Mike as he made his famous strawberry waffles with whipped cream and sausage links.

Sadly, on June 10, 2020 Michael “Mike” David Keller passed away of complications from a 12-year battle with cancer. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Milton and Anna Greta Keller. He is survived by his wife Linda Keller, his stepchildren Kevin(Dana) Miller, Carrie(Joel) Cablay, grandchildren Noah and Madeline Miller and Josh and JJ Cablay, his brothers Mark (Sally) Keller, Matt (Patty) Keller and his sister Michelle Mullison. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Mike was cherished by so many people. Several of his friends have said he was a great friend. He was that friend if your car broke down anywhere on the side of the road, he would come to help you out and fix it on the side of the road for you.

In lieu of flowers and per Mike’s request donations can be made in his name with LLS the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. LLS was so helpful to Mike during his 12-year battle with cancer.

Due to Covid 19 and our family along with Mike’s wishes to keep everyone safe, there will be a Celebration of life in a year. If you would like to be notified about the service, please send your name, phone number and mailing address to [email protected]. We will contact you once the service has been planned.