Lear Keller

Lear Damien Keller, 83, of West Chicago, passed away peacefully on March 2nd after a long illness. He was born in Havre, Montana to the late Frank and Elinor Keller and attended St Jude School and Havre Central High School, graduating in 1958. After high school he attended Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois earning his degree. Lear was later drafted in the Army spending 2 years in Germany from 1963-1965. After he was honorably discharged, he returned to Quincy earning his Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in Drama. It was then he met his beloved wife Karen (nee Budris) who was also a Drama major, marrying in 1973.

The Drama Department “kids” were very close and enjoyed working on plays and building sets together. Lear loved Quincy and the lifelong friends he made there. He never pursued his theater dreams, instead becoming a carpenter and “general fixer” by trade. Lear’s father Frank, a train engine mechanic by trade, was raised on a farm in a big family in Montana. Lear spent many summers in his grammar school years working on the farm alongside his brothers, sharing many stories about his experiences with his father and Uncle Adam. His mother, Elinor, was a very extraordinary nurse in her day with a fascinating life story as well. Lear always considered himself fortunate to be born into his family.

Lear and Karen settled in Illinois, but he was always a Montana man at heart. They made many trips out West over the years to visit his family and friends in Havre with memorable side trips to Yellowstone, Tetons and the many other beautiful places in Montana – especially Glacier National Park which was his favorite.

For over 30 years, Lear was very involved with The Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St Charles, Illinois volunteering with various events and building and renovation projects. He really enjoyed his work and his fellow building “musketeers”.

Lear is survived by his dear brothers Dave (Sue), Rich (Mary Ann), Pat (Marcie) and Chris; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial celebration will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 37W570 Bolcum Rd., St. Charles, Il 60175 or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Services will be livestreamed. Please use this link to access the services. Link will go live 15 minutes prior to service start.

www.asimplestreaming.com/lkeller