Fred Hoover Keller

Born May 15, 1928, in Burke County, he was the son of the late Giles Wesley Keller and Toye Lee Austin Keller. Fred served in the United States Army and United States Air Force. Prior to his retirement in 1996, he worked as Plant Manager and Vice President of Country Ham Operations at Mom ‘n’ Pop’s Smokehouse in Claremont since 1972. He was President of the American Association of Meat Processors in 1988-1989. Fred was a member of Highland Baptist Church in Hickory where he was a Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of The Gideons International. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, was an active bowler, and an avid fisherman.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Betty Isenhour Keller; three sons, Michael Keller and wife, Tracy, of Glen Ridge, New Jersey; Timothy Keller, Tony Keller and wife Susan, and one daughter, Marsha Vega, all of Hickory; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Hildebran, of Hickory; one sister-in-law, Bessie Keller, of Jamestown; one brother-in-law; Lewis Isenhour of Hickory; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm at Hickory Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Dale Clark and Rev. Jesse Lott officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory. The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 20, from 1:00 to 2:45 pm at Hickory Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to The Gideons International.

Condolences may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com.

Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.