Eldon grew up in Tiffin. He often spoke fondly of childhood, his parents & family, and his friends including working with his father and brother on their 50-acre farm and making it to the High School State Championship for Baseball that was held at The Ohio State University. He graduated McCutchenville High School in 1952 and then attended Heidelberg University also in Tiffin, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics. He then moved to Pittsburgh, PA to graduate with his master’s degree in nuclear physics from the University of Pittsburgh.
Eldon began his 40-year career at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, working on multiple projects for the defense and power industries. It was at Westinghouse where he met Kalomera Lebesis, marrying her in 1961, following his confirmation to the Greek Orthodox faith. Their son Chris was born in 1968. Eldon and Kalomera were also Godparents to Kimon Michaels and Christopher Mandros, sons of their good family friends from St. Nicholas Cathedral, where Eldon also served as Parish Council President for 3 years.
Eldon and Kalomera were dedicated to their neighborhood and community life and to raising Chris, always attending Chris’ ice hockey games and other activities. While staying connected with his own family, Eldon also enjoyed time with Kalomera’s parents and her sister Marina who lived in Athens, Greece with her family. Their more than 20 trips to Greece included time with Kalomera’s extended family of cousins, great aunts and uncles in both Athens and on the island of Spetses. Eldon studied and learned the Greek language to speak at home and with family, and at church.
After raising Chris in Pittsburgh, Eldon and Kalomera moved to Aiken, SC in 1992 for Eldon’s career opportunity with Westinghouse -- Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. They lived there happily for 26 years through retirement, where they enjoyed time in the surrounding area and with the good friends they made. They were active members of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, SC. They also became proficient dancers of the Shag – the regional couple’s social dance. They spent time on the golf course, traveling with friends to the beach and on cruises, and to visit Chris while he was living in Montreal, New York City, London, Frankfurt, and Denver.
Eldon and Kalomera were proud for Chris to meet Amy and her daughter Katie at St. Catherine, and for Chris to marry Amy in 2015. They enjoyed their family time together with visits in Colorado and South Carolina, also traveling to visit with Amy’s family in Iowa, Pennsylvania and beach vacations in Ocean City, New Jersey. Eldon also enjoyed his time with Katie, playing catch, Sunday night dinners, and attending her games and dance performances.
Eldon and Kalomera were married 57 years when she fell asleep in the Lord in 2018. They had just moved from South Carolina to Denver the previous month to be closer to Chris and family. Eldon became a member of St. Catherine, also serving on the Parish Council while living in Greenwood Village for two years before moving to Austin, TX with Chris and family in 2020.
Eldon will be remembered for his friendliness and flexibility, his generosity, his love to tell stories, and by Chris for being the best father a son could ever hope for.
Eldon is also preceded in death by his parents Lowell Keller and Naomi Burns, his sister Ruth Alice and his brother Roy.
Trisagion and Funeral services will be held at 11:30am MDT Saturday June 24th at St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church (5555 S. Yosemite St., Greenwood Village, CO, 80111). These services will also be live streamed for family and friends not able to attend.
The burial will immediately follow at 1:30pm at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery (6601 S. Colorado Blvd, Centennial CO 80121).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Eldon L. Keller to any of the following charitable organizations:
• International Orthodox Christian Charities: www.iocc.org
• Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church (Austin, TX): www.transfiguration.org
• St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church (Greenwood Village, CO): www.stcatherinechurch.org
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerchapelhill.com for the Keller family.
DONATIONS
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Austin, Texas
St Catherine Greek Orthodox Church , Greenwood Village, Colorado
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