Iva Lorene Keller

Iva Lorene Keller (nee Seibert), passed away on February 6, 2025 after a period of heart related illness.

Iva was born on August 15, 1952 in Pedricktown, New Jersey to Lorene Groves Seibert and Edward Seibert. As a daughter of a United Methodist Minister, she lived in many towns in West Virginia before graduating from Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She then completed a degree in Library Sciences at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

After graduation she worked briefly at JCPenney before starting work in the Library at Potomac State College, where she stayed until after the birth of her first daughter. After moving to Richmond in 1986, she began her career in education working as the librarian at All Saints Catholic School and then moving to Title One teaching and substitute teaching in Hanover and Henrico Counties. Iva was also a dedicated Girl Scout troop leader for many troops over the years.

Iva was deeply devoted to Shady Grove United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, years of Bible School, and numerous Children’s Programs. She was usually found on stage gleefully belting out Bible School Tunes. She was also a long-term member of the choir and for the last few years could be found greeting students in the Center for the Arts.

Iva met her husband Chuck in high school. The high school sweethearts stayed together, quickly becoming inseparable, and commuted between West Virginia Wesleyan and West Virginia University. They were married October 4, 1974 and celebrated their 50th Anniversary last year. Together they had two daughters, Kristen Lorene and Kaytlen Ann.

Iva was a passionate quilter and crafter. She was taught to sew by her grandmother, and namesake, Iva Groves. She loved visiting Amish Country and seeing the pristine farms and hand sewn quilts. Iva was an avid reader and enjoyed going on trips. She was able to enjoy a family bucket list trip to Alaska last summer.

Iva was predeceased by her father Edward Seibert, mother Lorene Groves Seibert, and brother Mark Seibert. She is survived, and greatly missed, by her husband Charles; daughter Kristen Keller Teele; son-in-law Barry Teele, daughter Kaytlen Keller; sisters Mary Alice Merryman, Mary Beth Cook, and Susan Seibert; and brother John Seibert.

A viewing will be held at Woody Funeral Home on Parham Monday, February 17 from 4-8 pm. A service will be held at Shady Grove United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 18 at 12:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at the church she served for almost 40 years.