KELLER, Sylvester Edward 1881 - 1950

KELLER, DROZ, CONLEE, HUDGELL

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/3/2026 at 19:39:46

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, September 11, 1950
Front Page, Column 7

TAKES LIFE BY SHOOTING SELF WITH SHOTGUN

LOCKRIDGE, Ia., Sept. 11--Coroner Jack Raymond said this morning there will be no inquest in the death of Sylvester KELLER, Jefferson county farmer who took his own life by shooting himself with a shotgun.

Raymond said KELLER went to the milk house on the family farm about 7:30 a.m. today and committed suicide after he had told his son, Clarence, he was going to Lockridge to see about purchasing a house.

The KELLER farm is located about a mile and a half north of Lockridge. He had recently sold the farm and was planning to purchase property in Lockridge and make his home there.

The son said his father had completed the milking this morning and then asked Clarence if he would back the car out of the garage so he could drive to Lockridge to see about buying property. Clarence backed the car out and then went to a nearby field to work.

Soon after the son heard a shotgun blast and returned to the house to investigate. He found his father's body in the milk house across the road from the farm home. KELLER had taken his own life by shooting himself in the head.

Coroner Jack Raymond and Sheriff Tom Howell were called to the scene and conducted the investigation. Raymond said there would be no inquest since evidence proved he took his own life.

Although the victim let no suicide note, the coroner said it is believed despondency over poor health caused KELLER to take his own life. His wife has been bedfast for several years and KELLER himself had been in poor health for some time.

Last rites will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Weston Behner funeral home in Fairfield with Rev. Calvin Heuther in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Sylvester Edward KELLER, 70, was born September 22, 1881, in Jefferson county, Iowa, the son of the late Edward and Mary DROZ KELLER.

He was united in marriage on December 23, 1902, to Mary CONLEE, who survives. The marriage took place in Jefferson county. KELLER had been a farmer all of his life and had lived on the same farm he had just sold since 1922.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two sons: George KELLER, Fairfield; and Clarence KELLER, Lockridge; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers, Jesse KELLER and Fred KELLER, both of Fairfield; and two sisters, Mrs. Clemmie HUDGELL, Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Melinda KELLER, Fairfield.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Saturday, September 16, 1950
Page Two, Column 1

CARD OF THANKS

We deeply appreciate the kindness during our recent unexpected sorrow. Your help, flowers and sympathy mean more to us than words can express.

Mrs. Mary KELLER
Clarence KELLER
Mr. and Mrs. George KELLER and family

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.089. Wife Mary died in 1957 and was buried with him.