Charleen June (nee DesPain) Keller, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away Friday, September 27, 2019, at the age of 91.

Charleen was born October 12, 1927 in Collinsville, IL.  She attended Collinsville High School, where she met her beloved husband, Bob Keller.  Charleen and Bob married on February 14, 1947 and had two boys, Kenny and Craig.  In earlier times, she loved cheering her sons on at their sporting events. Charleen took her job as homemaker serious.    Her home was always welcoming with a glass of iced tea or even lunch, if you came at that time.  Having the family holidays was very important to Charleen.  Her table was always set with a crisp ironed tablecloth and elegant china.  She was a wonderful cook and passed down many family recipes.  Playing golf was a hobby Charleen enjoyed, along with playing cards (pinochle) with good friends and going dancing with Bob at Collinsville Park and Firemen's Hall.  The wife of a farmer wasn't always an easy one, but she made it look easy and took excellent care of her family and home.  She is happy and at peace with her soulmate of 72 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Keller; her parents, Charles and Anne (nee Guenther) DesPain; sister, Doris DesPain; and granddaughter, Jessica Keller.

She is survived by her two sons, Kenneth (Linda) Keller, Craig (Tina) Keller; grandchildren:  Matthew (Jennifer) Keller, Jennifer Keller, Amanda (John) Jackson, Lindsey (Nick) Janssen, Lauren (Jeremy) Eck; great grandchildren:  Lexi, Sydney, Maddie, Ana, Carlie, Blake, Brody, Teddy, Vivian, Louis, Keller, and Hazel; her brother, Robert (Betty) DesPain; many nieces, nephews, and lots of wonderful friends.

Visitation will be held 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, Maryville, IL and 10 a.m.to 11 a.m. on Monday, September 30, 2019 at St. John United Church of Christ, Collinsville, IL.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Marvin Morgan officiating.  Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Collinsville, IL.

Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ and will be received at the funeral home.

Mothers never really die,

They just keep house up in the sky.

They polish the sun by day

And light the stars that shine at night

Keep the moonbeams silvery bright.

And in the heavenly home above

They wait to welcome those they love.