Richard Keller

Richard “Max” Keller, 86, Seneca, MO, passed into eternal rest at Medical Lodge in Neosho, MO from complication of Lewy Body Dementia.   Richard Max Keller was born August 25, 1930 in Seneca, MO the son of Clarence and Naomi (Testerman) Keller.  Max was a 1948 graduate of Seneca High School. Max lived on the family farm which was established in 1839. He worked 12 years for Boeing-Continental and 24 years for Rocketdyne and Teledyne in Neosho.  Max was one of the first three board members elected on the Seneca Area Fire Protection and he served on the board for many years.  Max loved the fire department and truly loved serving on the board of directors. He loved to joke and have fun with his family and friends and will be remembered for his wittiness.   Richard Max Keller married Retha Harper and she preceded him in death February 1, 1994.   Richard Max Keller married Silvia Fort-Pritchard in February 29, 2003 and she survives of the home.  Additional survivors include one son; James Keller and wife Diane, Highlands, CA; one daughter, Janice Keller, Joplin; step daughter Jacque Redmond and husband Ronald, Columbia, MD; 5 grandchildren, Abby Keller, Joplin, Emily Bacchini and husband Sam, Sacramento, CA, Elizabeth Pineo and husband Keith, Antelope, CA and Sarah Ford and husband Joshua, Garnett, KS and Jeff Jones and wife Trish, Joplin; 14 great-grandchildren; one step grandson Joseph Pritchard, Columbia, MO and several nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.  Max was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Judith “Judy” Keller, one brother, John B. Keller, one infant sister Loraine V. Keller, one step son Kev­­in Fort Pritchard and one great-grandson, Joel Ford.   Funeral services under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, September 16, 2016 at Swars Prairie Baptist Church with Paul Case officiating.   The family will receive friends from 6 pm to 7pm at the Swars Prairie Baptist Church.