Daniel Allen “Daniel or Dan” Keller, age 74, of Ada, passed away at 12:36 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital in Columbus. He put up a valiant fight over the 67 days against metastasized cancer, discovered March 28, 2023, that had started in his stomach and spread to seven other organs. Once placed on comfort care he died in his sleep with his wife, Christina close by holding his hand. In 2005, Dan donated a kidney to his brother. In 2021 Dan received a kidney transplant at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Daniel was born on October 19, 1948, in Hardin County, Ohio to the late Ralph W. and Twylah Marie (Heil) Keller. He married Christina Walton Keller in 1989, divorced and married her a second time 27 years later in 2020; she survives. While apart those years, Dan bought farms and expanded his farming operation and worked in education.
Daniel was a 1966 graduate of Ada High School and a 1970 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science and a double major in Horticulture, Architectural Landscape and graduate courses in Vocational Agriculture. Daniel taught Vocational Agriculture classes in Trotwood-Madison High School in Trotwood, Ohio. He also taught Horticultural classes at Live Oaks Vocational School in Milford, Ohio.
After Dan’s mother passed in 1974, he returned to Ada to farm with his dad. Over the many years Dan purchased his own farms in Hancock, Hardin and Allen counties. Daniel was a grant director at Ohio State University Lima Campus for Displaced Farmers Program. In 1991 Dan became an Ohio State Extension Agent in northeast Ohio. Daniel was a life-long member of St. Marks Lutheran Church in Ada. He was a deep student of the Bible and worked his whole life to be a good strong Christian man and steward of the land.
Dan was life member of the Ohio State Alumni Association. For many years he volunteered with Hardin County Junior Fair Livestock Sale. He volunteered with the Hardin County Ada Buyers Group. Daniel belonged to the McDonald Grange #669 and participated in FFA as a teen. Daniel was also a 10+ year member of the Lions International Ada Club. Daniel was an avid fan of The Ohio State University Buckeyes Football, often discussing games with his sister. He enjoyed bowling and played on several leagues until an injury made him give it up.
Daniel is survived by his siblings: Rosalie June Keller Spano of Painesville and Robert Dean (Suzan) Keller of Port Clinton; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2023 at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada with Tom Fleming officiating.
Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday, June 9 at Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services, Ada.
Gifts in memoriam contributions to Daniel Allen Keller may be made to The Ohio State University, The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
