Peggy Lavon Keeler

Cherishing a Long and Wonderful Life

Honoring Years of Wisdom, Love, and Memories

With gratitude and gentle sorrow, we pause to remember Peggy Keeler whose long life touched so many. Her years among us were filled with purpose, resilience, and a warmth that reflected on everyone who knew her.

Early Days

Born Peggy Lavon Hance, at home in Coolidge, Texas on June 4, 1933. The beloved first child of the late Effie & Elton Ray (Jack) Hance, she was a blue-eyed beauty. Peggy grew up surrounded by southern families on both sides, now deeply rooted in Texas, including many cousins. The Hance family moved around Texas, following the work, during the era of the Dust Bowl and WWII. In pursuit of a better life, the family migrated to booming California in 1943. Many of their relatives also relocated, giving her a solid family foundation in her new California life. At one point their family of four lived in a traveling box car while her father worked for the railroad, repairing train track across the state.

Marriages

Peggy was both a romantic and an optimist. She lived a full 92 years and was married three times. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Keeler, in 2018 (m. 1977), after 40+ years of marriage; Dale Brayman, married in 1967 (d. 1976); Richard Talbert, married in 1952 (d. 1960).

Work and Service Across the Years

In 1952 Peggy Hance graduated from Fresno High School early and went to work for General Electric in their credit department. By 1960 she was fully immersed in the Mad Men era, looking every bit the part. She handled finance calls for department stores, worked in a real estate development office, and for the Fresno Convention Center. Eventually she went on to be the first Hotel Manager at the original Piccadilly Inn in Fresno, California in 1970. Peggy was a modern woman, both elegant and professional, making her way in a business environment still dominated by men at the time. Later she would be involved in the grocery store business with her late husband, John Keeler. Throughout many decades of her life she also participated in the service organization Epsilon Sigma Alpha, a women’s sorority focused on “Good Friends, Good Works, and Good Times”. Peggy received the “Girl Of The Year” award in 1971 and was President 1972-1973.

Family: A Life’s True Treasure

No matter where she lived, her family was always important to her. Back in the 1970s, Peggy was known to drive across two states, to be there with her parents, sister and her family on Christmas morning. Peggy is survived by her little sister, Jackie Turl (Larry), namesake niece Peggy Micco Koning (Michael) and nephew Greg Turl (Martha), great-nephew Alexander Micco (Andrea), great-niece Olivia O’Brien (Jason), great-great nieces Liliana Micco, Evangeline O’Brien and Charlotte O’Brien. Peggy was blessed to be bonus-Mom-Peg to the Keeler boys and was so very proud to claim them as her own sons. She is survived by David Keeler, Chuck Keeler (Shirley), Raymond Keeler (Gale) and John Keeler (Dawn). Through them she leaves behind grandchildren: Chuck Keeler (Amy), Travis Keeler (Jennifer), Allison Juarez (Isaac), Kimberly Shoop (Michael), Celeste West (Lucas), Tabatha Keeler, Preston Keeler, Hannah Garcia (David), John W. Keeler, Jr., Todd Herzog (Jess), Brandi Schaefer (Jordon), Kimmi Holiday (James), Tyler Herzog, and Tori Herzog (Brett). And great-grandchildren: Myles, Mayzie, Natalia, Nari, Davis, Hayden, Bennett, Kennedy, Ammon, Hyrum, Enoch, Zion, June, David, Dane, Sloan, Wren, Skylar, Crew, Ryde, Skye, Sunny and Lola. Through every season of her life, even across the distance, family remained in her heart.

Passions and Pursuits

Once upon a time, Peggy loved reading old fashioned romance novels, baking cookies, decorating cakes, taking seriously long walks, appreciated other people’s gardening efforts – especially the flowers! In her last years, she could be found happily rearranging all the flower bouquets after hours at the assisted living facility where she resided. She loved beautiful “things” – crystal, china, collectable trinkets. Dishes! Her apartment walls told a story in pictures. Above all, she loved traveling with her late husband, John Keeler. She treasured their time abroad, having visited China, Egypt, Petra, Jordan, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, Argentina, Uruguay, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Italy, Vatican City, Malta, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Bahamas, Tahiti, Fiji and Hawaii among other places. Even in her final months she daydreamed of another adventure.

An Enduring Inspiration

In her life, Peggy was many things. She came into this world a Daughter, became a Big Sister, a Favorite Cousin, a Wife, a Career Woman – a BOSS. She ultimately shared in the joy of being a Mom, Grammy, Great-Grammy. She was a Beloved Aunt to three generations. She was incredibly social and thrived surrounded by friends and family. She was fun! She enjoyed a nice glass of champagne occasionally. She was also a Breast Cancer Survivor. A Woman of Faith. She was baptized in the Baptist Church, but independent of her family found her way to the Catholic Church with a dear friend and converted in 1986. One of her most treasured memories was of visiting the Vatican and attending a private audience with Pope John Paul II.

The impact of such a long and fulfilling life is felt in every story shared, every lesson passed on, and every heart touched by her presence. The wisdom, humor, and kindness she shared live on, inspiring all of us to live each day with purpose and love.

Farewell, With Gratitude

As we say farewell, we remember not only the length of her years, but the depth of their living. The sorrow we feel is softened by gratitude—for the memories and the enduring love they leave behind. May we honor Peggy by carrying her spirit forward, living with the same generous heart and courage that defined her days.

• “Though the journey ends, the light remains.”

With deep respect and enduring affection, we celebrate a wonderful life that touched all who were privileged to know her.