Larry Dale Keeler, 65, of Tilden, IL; born on January 3, 1961 in Sparta, IL, the son of Dale and Helen (née, Farley) Keeler; passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.
During his working years, Larry was employed at Peerless Appliance Company for 21 years. In 2001, Larry moved to Wall Vern Products, where he finished his career selling garage and entry doors to lumberyards in the metro St. Louis area. His gift of gab served him well in this profession because he made meaningful connections, transitioning what most would consider customers into lifelong friends.
From fixing someone’s car to maintaining the family’s property, Larry derived his sense of purpose in taking care of others. He loved spending time outdoors and tinkering with cars, tractors, and electronics. He loved understanding how these systems worked, keeping his wife’s VHS player working long after they were off the market. Larry could always find a project whether it was mowing grass or waxing cars. He also had an adventurous spirit, ready to take off on a cross-country road trip whenever vacation time arrived. His ideal vacations always included a slew of national and state parks on the west coast, and he was especially fond of his time exploring Yellowstone and Goosenecks State Park. Although he struggled with ongoing medical issues for 20+ years, he never allowed those issues to affect his work ethic. In fact, he was persistent in getting back on his feet as quickly as possible, insisting that his active lifestyle is what kept him alive. When Larry wanted something done, he let nothing stand in the way of his desired outcome.
Larry prioritized his family, making time to regularly take care of his mother’s yard and chat with her every night before settling in for the evening. He jumped into action any time his wife or daughter needed him, showing his love and care through his acts of service. One particular task he took great joy in was being a dog sitter for his various grandpuppies. He found a particularly strong connection with his first grand dog, Hoops. Even eight years after Hoops’s passing, Larry still regularly talked of his afternoons walking Hoops by the lake. While his first grand dog was always his favorite, he loved the other two in equal measure, affectionately earning the title of dog whisperer. While stern and stubborn on the outside, Larry’s heart was a mile wide and that showed whether he was with family or an acquaintance who needed his help. We will all feel such a big loss for the many ways he took care of us.
Larry is survived by his loving wife of 44 years – Angie (née, Dufrenne) Keeler of Tilden, IL to whom he married on April 16, 1982 in Belleville, IL; mother – Helen Keeler; daughter – Allison (née, Brian) Justusson of St. Charles, MO; two sisters – Brenda Larson and Bonnie Wilcox; two brothers – James Keeler and David Keeler.
He was preceded in death by his father; son-in-law of the late Edward & Carol Dufrenne.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or National Kidney Foundation
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.heilschuessler.com.
The Visitation will be held at Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home, 847 N. St. Louis Ave., Tilden, IL 62292, on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery in Prairie Du Rocher on Monday, August 31, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. with Father Sebastian Ukoh officiating.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Tilden, Illinois is in charge of arrangements.
I worked with Larry many years. Always friendly, and willing to do whatever needed done. Dedication was his calling, and was guided by a strict moral compass.
I am proud to say I knew him.
Rest in peace my friend.
ReplySorry for ur loss aunt Helen I didn’t know him but i wish I would have Rip
ReplyLarry became what I think of as a good friend. He stopped in often to our office while he worked at Wal-Vern. Larry was always willing to help with whatever you needed. After he retired he still stopped in so we could spend an hour just chatting. I am sad to not see Larry again. I will miss you my friend. Rest in peace Larry!
ReplyI am so sorry to hear of this. Angie and Allison, you and all of your family have our deepest sympathy and prayers.
ReplyI always enjoyed our visits when Larry would visit me at City Hall. Larry was always willing to help someone. From cleaning snow from neighbors driveways in the winter to fixing garage doors. Larry my friend you will be missed.
ReplyI am so saddened to read this, my heart goes out to all the Keelers, growing up as neighbors Larry helped my family with all kinds of things, including roofing our house and teaching me college algebra. Angie, Helen and Allison, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplySo sorry to hear this, Angie. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
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So sorry to hear this, Angie. Hugs and prayers to you and your family.
I am so saddened to read this, my heart goes out to all the Keelers, growing up as neighbors Larry helped my family with all kinds of things, including roofing our house and teaching me college algebra. Angie, Helen and Allison, you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
I always enjoyed our visits when Larry would visit me at City Hall. Larry was always willing to help someone. From cleaning snow from neighbors driveways in the winter to fixing garage doors. Larry my friend you will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of this. Angie and Allison, you and all of your family have our deepest sympathy and prayers.
I worked with Larry many years. Always friendly, and willing to do whatever needed done. Dedication was his calling, and was guided by a strict moral compass.
I am proud to say I knew him.
Rest in peace my friend.
Larry became what I think of as a good friend. He stopped in often to our office while he worked at Wal-Vern. Larry was always willing to help with whatever you needed. After he retired he still stopped in so we could spend an hour just chatting. I am sad to not see Larry again. I will miss you my friend. Rest in peace Larry!
Sorry for ur loss aunt Helen I didn’t know him but i wish I would have Rip