Ralph W. Keller passed away Saturday, September 21, 2002 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, WA at the age of 86 years. He was born January 5, 1916 in Burke County, North Carolina the son of Raymond and Bertha Carswell Keller. Ralph grew up in North Carolina, attending school and was married to Phrona Benfield on May 31, 1935 in Granite Falls, NC. In 1941, they came out to Washington and resided in the Marblemount and Rockport area for many years. Ralph worked as a heavy equipment operator in construction for many years as well as operating his own logging company K & L Logging. He also worked for Skagit County PUD and for the last ten years before his retirement in 1978, he resided in Seattle working for the City of Seattle Engineering Dept. Ralph loved to fish, duck hunt, garden, and after his retirement he and Phrona traveled extensively in their travel trailer. He was a member of Heavy Equipment Operators Union # 302, active in the Marblemount Union Sunday School, and he was an assistant Boy Scout Master when his son Jerrol was active in Scouting. Most of all, Ralph loved his family, his beautiful home in the upper Skagit Valley, and the outdoors.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Jerrol and Diane Keller of La Conner, WA. 2 granddaughters, Theresa Schoonejans and her husband Mitch and their daughter Coral of Kent, WA and Kristina Keller of Federal Way. Step-grandchildren, Brian Pollack of Puyallup, Michelle Nelson of Stanwood and her children Jordan, Taylor, Alexis, and Victoria. Shannon Bowerman and her husband Steven and their children Michael and Vanessa of West Linn, OR. Dawn Laird and her husband Damon and their children Cameron and Ashley of Bellevue, WA, Colleen O’Fallon of Lynnwood, WA, and Heather Devlin and her husband Kelly of Bellingham, WA. A sister Ruby Carswell of Connelly’s Springs, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Phrona on April 22, 2000, and two brothers Cornelius and JayVan.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Jim Larson officiating. Burial will follow at the Forest Park Cemetery in Concrete. Memorials are suggested to Skagit Hospice. You may share your thoughts and memories of Ralph by signing our on-line guestbook at www.lemleychapel.com