Thomas Fredrick Keller, 61, passed away at 9:25 p.m. Saturday at Daviess Community Hospital as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Tom was born in Indianapolis on Oct. 30, 1953, the son of William Ellsworth and Mary Marjorie (Armes) Keller.
Tom attended St. Theresa of the Little Flower School in Indianapolis, and the Wheatland schools. In 1968, when consolidation created South Knox High School, it was soon evident that that school could accommodate neither Tom’s nor his brother Greg’s exuberant spirits. Tom completed his high school education at Noble High School in 1973 while living with friends in that area. Tom was an expert automobile paint and body man. He attended Vincennes University and Oakland City College and earned certificates in diesel mechanics. Tom knew horsepower inside and out, and he even worked early mornings for a while with real horses! Years of hard labor on huge diesel engines, cranes and bodywork caused Tom spinal problems, but even after that forced his retirement, he continued to work with his Harley and any kind of small engine. Tom was an artist and painted many motorcycles. Tom’s true love was motorcycles; he was a life member of the Fifth Column Motorcycle Club and his brothers there all knew him as “Snake.” Tom also worked several years at Graber Crane and for his friends Butch and Monica Powell.
Tom is survived by his five children, Kristy, Christin, Jessica, Josh, Brieanna; his sister and brother-in-law, Katherine “Kay” and Paul Turner of Wheatland; and his cat Bushwacker. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and both of his brothers, William Joseph Keller and Gregory Leland Keller Sr.
Funeral services for Tom will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Gardner-Brockman Funeral Home, with Deacon Donald Haag officiating. Friends may visit with Tom’s family from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday. Tom’s wishes were to be cremated and burial will take place at a later date in Walnut Grove Cemetery in Monroe City. Online condolences may be sent at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com.