Shirley Hall-Keltner

Shirley Hall-Keltner passed on February 12, 2011 at her home in Eureka, California. Shirley was involved in theatre her whole life. As a child in Phoenix, Arizona, she acted in the Children's Theatre Workshop and then as an adult she directed plays herself. While at Arizona State University Shirley did costuming for the Music and Drama Departments. She moved to Los Angeles, California in 1968 to go into the professional side of her craft. Shirley was the first woman in the local union to receive her property masters card. For many years Shirley made a wide variety of commercials, everything from working with the Mercury cougar to live alligator wrestling for Tide, the Schlitz Malt liquor bull crashing through the set, and even spray painting sheep plaid for Pendleton Woolen Mills. Shirley remained in the film industry for many years producing and working on films and then in 1986, she longed for a slower pace, trees, and especially sheep and cows. She and her chosen soul sister Betty Burton drove north and said: "Eureka, we've found it"! There was never any looking back. Shirley was blessed by a second marriage to George Keltner in 1994. In 2001, KINS Radio started The Shopping Show. Shirley was on board from the beginning. The listening audience soon became acquainted with Shirley and she was the "face" of the show since she was the one greeting them at the station. She was a trouble shooter and always made people feel comfortable. The growing members of the show were quick to appreciate her skills. Several years ago, Shirley began to fill in on-air on the Saturday shows. Her energy and laughter came across the airwaves loud and clear. Shirley is survived by her husband and "knight in shining armor", George R. Keltner, her son Steve Hall Phillips and his wife Mitzi, Stepdaughters, Laura Jennings, Gail Howard, and Frances Keltner, Grandchildren Eden, Jacob, and Sam, step grandchildren Marlee Blue, step great grandchildren, Faith and Paige, and more to come, sister-in-law Ramona Hall, nieces, Teresa Kuamoo (Lee), Liz and Suzan Hall. Because of the support Shirley has given to young people and the arts the family requests that donations be made to the Christ Church Music School Youth Ministries, 625 15th St Eureka, CA, 95501. Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA 707-442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on February 20, 2011