Michael Keller

MICHAEL LEO KELLER (“Mike”), 76, of Folsom, passed away on March 4, 2021, after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 8, 1944, Mike was the son of the late Leo and Marie (née Killian) Keller.

He was the beloved husband to Patricia (née Downs); loving father to Michael L. Keller, Jr., Joanne Melazzo (Michael), Stephanie Klein (Paul), Christine Powers (James), Linda Doyle (Devin) and Karen Dugger (James) and devoted pop-pop to Michael Melazzo; Alex, Matthew and Shane Klein; Andrew, Benjamin and Charlotte Doyle and Kayleigh, Kelsey and Maggie Dugger. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Ed Downs (Helen) and nephew Evan as well as many other special cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mike was predeceased by his siblings Joseph Stanton, Eileen Hawthorne and Patricia Roney.

Mike was born in Philadelphia and raised in Southwest Philadelphia where he attended Good Shepherd grade school. He graduated from West Catholic High School in 1962. It was during this time he met the love of his life Pat, whom he married in in 1965. In 1966 they began a family and eventually moved to East Lansdowne where they laid down roots and raised their family. Mike was a dedicated member of St. Cyril’s church and an active member of the school’s home and school association. You could always find Mike doing something at St. Cyril’s, whether it was fixing the heat in the social hall or running the show for its largest fundraiser, the annual Carnival. Mike was also a lifelong member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, Council #4461. He was the Mayor of East Lansdowne from 1986 to 1990 and was actively involved in borough activities for many years after his family moved away.

Retiring after 30 years with the Philadelphia Gas Works, Mike went on to many “odd” jobs, including a maintenance man at St. John Chrysostom in Wallingford and a Court Crier for the Delaware County Courthouse, a job that he always wanted and thoroughly enjoyed. He was lovingly known as the man who could fix anything and many family, friends and neighbors relied on him to help out when needed.

Mike was an avid car enthusiast and, in his free time, he restored his prized possession a 1968 Ford Mustang which he happily displayed at antique car shows and drove in parades all over Delaware County and New Jersey.

His love for fixing things was only outmatched for his love of his family. In recent years, he and Pat enjoyed spending time at their place at Carol Lynn Resorts East in Woodbine, NJ surrounded by his family and friends watching his beloved Phillies. It’s no surprise that in a very short time Mike also became the “Mayor” of Carol Lynn and continued making friends while fixing everything there too.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation 6:00-9:00 PM Monday, March 8, 2021 at The Knoetgen-Donohue Funeral Home, 746 Kedron Avenue, Morton, PA and his Funeral Service at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1901 Chester Pike, Eddystone, PA on Tuesday, March 9 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private.

Masks are to be worn when visiting the family and to the Funeral Service.   Social distancing is to be observed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Phillies Charities, Inc. would be appreciated: https://www.mlb.com/phillies/community/phillies-charities/give-a-gift