Obituary of Ruth L. Keller

Ruth Lillian Elizer Keller Allegany, NY Ruth Lillian Elizer Keller, 90, formerly of N. 18th St., passed away Wednesday (October 13, 2021) at the Absolut Care of Allegany, where she had resided for the past 11 years. Born December 24, 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA, she was one of 4 daughters born to Vincent and Katherine Bartling Elizer. On March 31, 1951 in Olean, she married Max E. Keller who predeceased her February 26, 2014. Ruth was a graduate of Sto-Rox High School in McKees Rocks, PA and later attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She grew up in a very family-oriented household and always remained close to her Pittsburgh family. She learned to ride horses from a young age and always loved her favorite horse “Blaze”. All her life she loved the arts, including music, literature and theater. Locally, she enjoyed the diverse offerings at St. Bonaventure University, and the Olean Community Theater. She made friends wherever she was, and never met anybody she didn’t like or wanted to help. Even her 11-year stay at the Absolut Care of Allegany was occasion to make many new friends in her caregiving community. Her family was everything to her. She and her husband Max loved to dance and enjoyed music. During the time Max served in the Air Force, they were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, Cheyenne, Wyoming and San Antonio, Texas. While in Olean, she loved the 5 years she volunteered for Project Head Start. She was a longtime former member of St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean and more recently was a member of St. Bonaventure Parish in Allegany. Ruth leaves behind a loving son Timothy (Karen) Keller of Clarence; grandson Joshua T. (Jamie) Keller of Tonawanda; great-granddaughters Emilia Ruth Keller and Madelyn Sue Keller, both of Tonawanda; sister Madeline (George) Panno of Coraopolis, PA and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Max to whom she was married 63 years, she was predeceased by 2 sisters Katherine “Kay” (Ed) Zamanski and Velma (Tom) Hall. The family will be present to receive friends on Saturday (October 16, 2021) from 9am until 11am at St. Bonaventure Parish, 95 E. Main St., Allegany. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11am in the church. Rev. James Vacco, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in Allegany Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to St. Bonaventure Church, 95 E. Main St., Allegany, NY 14706. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.