Nellis Keeler's Obituary
Evelyn Nellis Murphy-Keeler, daughter of Frank Isaac and Alma Blackburn Bulsom, was born November 10, 1916, in Clio Mills, California. She departed this life Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Christian Health Care South, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, four months, and seventeen days. On April 17, 1994, she was united in marriage to Grovenor John “Shorty” Keeler, and they shared the last fifteen years. She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands, George McReynolds, and Friel V. Murphy; a brother, Wilbur Bulsom; a sister, Kathlene Leuthen; and a nephew, Ron Leuthen. Nellis is survived by her husband, Grovenor “Shorty”, of the home; a step-daughter, Jan Keeler, and her husband, Noble Morrell, of Topeka, Kansas; seven step-grandchildren, Don, Estan, Kimberly, Beth Ann, Dawn, Crystal, and Katherine; ten step-great-grandchildren, Tiffani, Zoe, Jessica, Michael, David, Elle, Dalton, Alexandra, Hannah, and Juliano; two nieces, Loretta Ponce, and her husband, Ted, and Cindy Leuthen; two great-nephews, Robert and Brian; a great-niece, Lorie; ten great-great-nieces and nephews, Nathan, Neal, Nevin, Vivian, Robert, Edward, Ryan, Bret, Spencer, and William; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. She was born in California and was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated high school in the R.O.T.C. program, but never entered the military. While she and Friel Murphy were married, they lived in England for a few years, while Friel was in the Air Force. After retiring from the military, Nellis and Friel made their home in California, where they owned and operated an estate store in Victorville and Georgetown, California. Since marrying Shorty, they had made their home in Lebanon, Missouri. Nellis was baptized in a Christian church and had attended First Christian Church in Lebanon. She was a fifty year member of the Order of the Eastern Star. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling and taking cruises. She was a strong woman who was very capable of making necessary decisions. She was a fan of baseball and liked following the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs Baseball teams. Nellis dearly loved her family and created many wonderful memories for them to treasure for years to come. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday March 30, 2010 at the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m until time of service under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to Christian Health Care South donations may be made thorugh the funeral Home. Return to top
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