A poignantly beautiful video reviewed the ongoing happy moments in the life of Leland E. Keller from the time he was a small child until shortly before he passed away July 27, 2007, at the age of 86. He was a man who loved life, loved his family, loved fishing and loved doing things for other people whenever he could. “He would do anything to help anybody,” is the way his daughter Karen English described her father.

Keller, a lifetime resident of Brunswick, was delivered by his grandmother Feb. 17, 1921, in the family home on the corner of Substation and Center roads. He graduated from Brunswick High School, then served in the Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946, driving heavy truck equipment in the Philippines and in Japan with the 46th Engineers Company. He earned two Bronze Stars, a Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

When he came home after the war he politely but adamantly refused to eat rice, vegetables or fried bologna. He would say, “Give it to the little Philippino children.”

Although he did not talk much about his experiences during the war, Keller read about that historic event avidly. He was proud to be a lifetime member of VFW Post 5137, which gave a 21-gun salute at his funeral.

Keller’s first marriage lasted 19 years and brought three children into the world. He married a second time, in 1964, and he and Faith, his wife of 43 years, had another three children. He loved his six children and always enjoyed the times he spent with them, his 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In 1946, Keller was one of 11 original charter members to start the Brunswick Fire Department. In 1958, he and another gentleman also started the first rescue squad in Medina County, the predecessor of the EMT units. Their first rescue vehicle was an old Packard, after which they acquired two Cadillac hearses. The department also acquired an antique fire engine they drove in parades from Cleveland to Columbus for many years.
Keller, who never officially got to be an EMT, did pull over on a side street to deliver an anxious-to-arrive baby before they could reach the hospital. He stayed with the department until 1964 and became a lieutenant for the Brunswick Hills Department when the second department was formed. In tribute, a Brunswick Fire Department hook and ladder truck was a part of his funeral procession to the cemetery.

Keller always worked two jobs. He worked for Fruehauf Trailer in Avon Lake a number of years, then drove truck for the Medina County Sanitary Engineering Department until 1986, spreading sludge on farmers’ fields. He also operated Keller’s Water Supply and hauled water every evening after his day job. His water supply company served as a backup for the fire department; he would haul water from ponds and cisterns to help put out fires.

Keller always made friends wherever he went, and he kept up with those friendships; they meant a lot to him. He stayed in contact with classmates and remained active in planning high school reunions. One of his many pleasures in life was sitting and visiting, perhaps having a drink and reminiscing, with old and new friends.

After retiring, he and his wife wintered in Florida, where he loved to fish. Because he was so fond of catfish, he always had a freezer full and happily shared it with everyone. He also spent time riding his adult three-wheel bikes. He had several which he shared, and fixed other people’s bikes for them when necessary.

Contrary to the health advice of today, Keller smoked from the time he was 10 years old, and had his last cigarette four days before he passed away. He was diagnosed about 10 years ago with prostate cancer, but never complained about his condition. He drove until a month before the end, and it was only a few days before his death that he admitted to one of his sons of the pain.

Everyone who knew Keller agreed his life was meaningful. He was happiest when he was with his family and friends, when he was fishing, and when he was helping others. The smiling faces in the pictures captured it all.

Huston may be reached at areanews@ohio.net.