Obituary: Franklin Delano Keeler

Franklin Delano Keeler, age 84, passed away peacefully in the early morning of April 10, 2025, at Golden Years Nursing Home. He was born Nov. 8, 1940, in Hamilton, Ohio, to the late Ralph and Helen (Hrebenyar) Keeler. Frank was a 1959 graduate of Dixon Israel High School in Preble County Ohio.

Franklin was a man who embraced the simple joys in life. He found happiness in fishing, mushroom hunting, and tending to his garden, and he took great pleasure in sharing coffee time with his buddies each morning. For over 30 years, he sold sweet corn at his stand near Kroger in Oxford where the corn and fresh produce was a local favorite every June and July. He is survived by his loving children, Robin (Gary) Moore, John Keeler, and Jimmy (Amy) Keeler, as well as his cherished grandchildren: Ryan (Brittany) Moore, Tyler (Miranda) Moore, Ashley (Tyler) Clemmons, Colby Keeler, and Dakota Keeler. Franklin was also adored by his great-grandchildren—Teddy, Amelia, Ruby, Ellie, Henry, Emma, Hunter, Grayson, Walker and Baby Clemmons, who is expected in the fall. Franklin's siblings, Cheryl Shafer (Larry), Bill Bruner, Suzi Stephens (Dick), and Roberta Zapfe, also mourn his loss. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Diana Keeler, his parents, and his sister, Joyce Thacker, all of whom he loved dearly.

A Mass was held in honor of Franklin’s memory at St. Mary’s Church in Oxford on April 16, followed by a gathering and memorial service.

The family would like to thank the staff at Golden Years Nursing Home for the exceptional care that was given to Franklin during his time there. Franklin will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

This obituary was originally published on the website of Paul R. Young Funeral Home and has been edited for length.