Keeler, Nelson H.
Nelson “Ned†H. Keeler, 76, of New Bern, NC, passed away on 6 November 2018 in Tarpon Springs, FL.
Visitation will be 11:00 AM – 1:00PM November 9, 2018 at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, 701 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Friday November 9, 2018 at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, 701 East Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 with Pastor Steve Epperson of Cherry Point Baptist Church officiating. Burial Arrangements will be at Arlington Cemetery at a later date.
Ned Keeler was born in New London, Connecticut to Lillian Miller Keeler and Nelson Keeler on January 26, 1942. He went on to attend the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He married Maurine Hall in 1963 in New London, Connecticut. In 1999 he married Sheril Cheatham Keeler and they remained happily married until his passing. He served our nation as an officer in the United States Coast Guard for 32 years. After his retirement he moved on to continue his service to our nation for another 22 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES) with the Federal Government. He was a dedicated and decorated veteran of the War in Vietnam and served in the United States Coast Guard as an aviator. He was awarded multiple medals and accommodations for heroism in the line of duty as a USCG Search and Rescue Pilot. In addition Ned received the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service. Ned was an active member of Cherry Point Baptist Church, Havelock, NC where he was involved in The Bridge Loaves and Fishes Ministry and the North Carolina Baptist Men’s Mission Appalachian Christmas Outreach. He lovingly served in the children’s room helping children living in poverty-ridden homes in West Virginia choose just the right gift to give their parents for Christmas.
Ned Keeler is preceded in death by his devoted mother Lillian Miller Keeler, his father Nelson Keeler, his maternal grandparents “Gram and Pop†Louis and Beatrice Miller, his first wife Maureen Hall Keeler, His mother-in-law and father-in-law William and Mary Cheatham, and a half-brother Buzz Keeler.
Ned Keeler is survived by his wife Sheril Cheatham Keeler, daughters Deborah (Thomas) Flanagan of Tarpon Springs, FL, Michele Bert (Jeff Duncan) of Palm Harbor, FL, Sherri (Jeremy) Adams of Huntsville, AL; five grandchildren, Katie, Brendan and Brian Flanagan, Tyler and Ayden Adams; Sister-in-law and brother -in-law Karen and Fred Baumbach of Sandy Springs, GA; half sister Bobbi Keeler (Dennis Burtick), Athens, GA; cousin Sue Franzosa, Bridgeport CT; dear friends who are family and dearly loved Cheryl and Jack Adams, Pennsburg, PA, Donna and Bill Nielson of Crystal River, FL, Ralph Azersky, New Bern, NC and all of our dear friends at Cherry Point Baptist Church, Havelock, NC.
Pallbearers will be Ned’s sons-in-law, Thomas Flanagan, Jeff Duncan and Jeremy Adams and his grandsons Brendan and Brian Flanagan and Tyler Adams.
The Keeler family wishes to request that in lieu of flowers donations be given to Ned’s favorite mission ministries, which are The Bridge (Loaves and Fishes) and Appalachian Christmas Outreach. Donations can be given in Ned’s memory via the following website: http://www.cherrypointbaptist.com/donate.html
Raymond Canada (USCGA Classmate)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Dee and I are praying for your family in this difficult time.
Vicky Carney (CPBC member Loaves & Fishes)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Prayers for peace and comfort during this time. Mr. Ned, kiss Jesus for me. Until we meet again, keep the crock pots warm. Much love to your family and friends. Love, Vicky and Sammi
Rick Lovelace (New Friend)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Sheryl…I am sorry for your loss, I have been in shock since the news arrived. May God comfort you and love you during these most difficult times. We will all miss him greatly.
Rick
Robin Creech (friend)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Dearest Sheril ~ We were so saddened to hear of Ned's sudden passing. Please know our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Job well done they Good and Faithful Servant!!! Much Love, Lenny and Robin
Jim Lantry (CGA classmate)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
So sorry to hear of Ned's sudden passing. We didn't overlap after graduation, but I remember him fondly from the Academy and some reunions.Our prayers are with you.
Jim and Charlene Lantry
Bob & Lois Bates (CGA '63)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
So sorry for your loss, Sheril. You and your family are in our thoughts & prayers.
Dean Roberts (church friend)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
So sorry for your loss. He will be miss by all.
Andrea Lakata (Co-worker)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Rest easy Mr. Keeler. You were one of a kind. An outstanding leader who will be greatly missed.
Dave & Vickie Connolly (Classmate & wife)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Vickie and I send our deepest sympathy for you and family at the early loss of Ned. He was a great classmate; I met him on 6 July 1959. Great seeing you at Homecoming. Dave and Vickie
Marion and Gwen Sykes (Sunday School Teacher)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
My life is better because of my friendship with Ned. A gentleman, a devoted husband , a true American and a man who loved God and served Him with passion. I will miss Ned and our prayers are with the family.
Ricky Daniels (Employees )
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Mrs Keeler, on behalf of the hundreds of employees from Fort Lee, the entire SEC-Lee organization sends our condolences. Ned was a great leader and will be missed by all who knew him. Our hearts and prayers will be with you.
Cliff & Carol Miller (Friend)
November 8, 2018, 12:00 am
Sheril & Family our Prayers Love Hugs & thoughts are with you. Wonderful memories of Ned helping having a cookie that you baked soo BLEST serving where needed cleaning up best of all being at his Baptism he is with our Lord God Bless Hugs
Jeffrey Herman (Co-worker)
November 9, 2018, 12:00 am
Karen and Jeff send our deepest sympathy to the Keeper family.
Howard & Denise High (Friend)
November 9, 2018, 12:00 am
We are very saddened by the loss of Ned. We feel fortunate that we knew him, a genuine example of a great human being. We only wish that we were there now to embrace Sheril, another fine person exponentially.
Dick & Darlene Healing (Classmate USCGA)
November 9, 2018, 12:00 am
Sheril — We are so sorry for your loss – Ned was certainly a good friend, a dedicated Patriot, and a fine gentleman who made a difference in our lives and the lives of many others! Our deepest condolences to you and the family.
Shirley & Alan Doucette (Friend)
November 9, 2018, 12:00 am
Sheril – r deepest condolences. Mr. Keeler was truly admired by many whose lives he touched. He was an outstandng loving, caring person who will be missed. Heaven gained an angel in Mr. Keeler. He loved his family and his memory will be kept alive by all who loved him.
Jack & Cheryl Adams (Classmate, )
November 11, 2018, 12:00 am
You have crossed the bar and have made the sacred journey to life everlasting. You will be deeply missed.
Wishing comfort and peace to Sheril and others that remain. We love you.
Bryant Herbert (Employee)
November 18, 2018, 12:00 am
I am so glad I had the privileged of meeting and working for Mr. Keeler. His leadership is irreplaceable. Rest In Peace Mr. Keeler and may God Bless and comfort the family through these hard times.
MAJ Randall K Faulkner (Former Co-worker)
February 13, 2019, 12:00 am
It was really windy at Fort Gordon today and for some reason I thought of Mr Keeler. I am approaching retirement and thought it would be great to invite him back down here. I had lost track of you all after he left – y'all were to sail the east coast across the Great Lakes, back down the Miss River as I recall. I remember a story he told about rough seas, and out on the ocean with Mrs Keeler.. and how he had to sell the sailboat after that… I enjoyed going to his office and talking about sailing — even though I was a MAJ in the reserves and he was the DCG. Know that you are all in my prayers and thoughts. I hate that I waited so long to try and find him that I missed out on one more conversation – one more story… He was really at great man. Thoughts and blessings for him. Randy
Richard J Taylor (Fellow Coast Guard Officer and Aviator)
November 9, 2020, 12:00 am
Captain Keeler it was a pleasure flying with you, Sir. Fair winds and following seas. Rest easy, we have the watch.