Charles F. Keller (80) of Effingham

Long time businessman and popular politician, Charles F. Keller, known to everyone as “Chuck”, passed to eternal rest on his birthday January 22, 2019.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in Oakridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the church. There will be a Rotary Walkthrough at 6:45pm, and a Knights of Columbus Rosary and 4th Degree Chalice Service at the conclusion of the visitation. Memorial donations may be given to Sacred Heart Church or to Catholic Charities.Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Mr. Keller was born January 22, 1939 to Lolami and Thelma Keller and is survived by his wife Doris Jean Keller of 35 years. He was intimately involved as president of the Illinois Young Democrats in the campaign and election of President John F. Kennedy. With this auspicious entry to political life, he returned to Illinois and was elected to five consecutive terms (1968-1977) in the Illinois House of Representatives. The last term garnered the highest vote total ever recorded in Illinois for that office.

Mr. Keller carried on the great entrepreneurial tradition in Effingham that was begun by his father and mother. Keller Oil Co. and Keller Development Co. brought many jobs and much joy to his chosen community, Effingham. He was able to finish his career with the successful development and launch of his most recent business, the Hofbrauhaus in the Metro-East area near Belleville, IL.

He is survived by his children, Charles Keller Jr. (wife Fanny Mae and their children, Alex, Peter, Anna Sophia and Isabella of Effingham, Keidrah Lynn McWhorter (husband, Chad, and their children, Morgan, Mack and Madison) of Effingham, Uwe Blab (wife, Key and their children, Stefan and Laura) of Wimberly, Texas, Gregory Alan Hails (wife Tanya and their children Ilenia and Ryan) of Effingham, Che Michelle Choi (husband Joe and their children Mia, Charlie, MaKenzie and Maddie) of Wilmette, IL, Christopher Franklin Keller (fiancée Delanie Child Elle) of Effingham, Chelsea Marie Kaeding (husband Carl and their children Chloe, Tanner, Sophie, Brooks and Penelope) of Minneapolis, Chase Franklin Keller of Effingham, Chane Franklin Keller of Effingham, Courtney Maureen Keller “his favorite” of Effingham and Hrvoje Vasilj and Oliver Vasilj, both of Croatia.

Mr. Keller was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 20 years, Nome Hardiek Keller and grandson, Christopher Blab.