Phyllis J. Keeler

Phyllis June White was born on December 9, 1934, in Johnstown, New York, daughter of Roy S and Isabell (Frasier) White. She and her brother, Lyman White (Florence) and sister Lois Thorne (deceased) grew up and worked hard on a dairy farm with their parents in Broadalbin, New York. She attended Broadalbin Central School, class of 1952. She made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl in an after school program and served Him through her entire life.

She knew from the time she was a little girl that she wanted to be a teacher. She put herself through college at the University of New York at Oneonta. She graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor's Degree in Education and then married the love of her life and her knight in shining armor, Earl J Keeler of Ballston Spa, who she met on a blind date and soon after broke a previous engagement to join ranks for the amazing adventure of their 62 years together. She taught at Rock City Falls Elementary, Broadalbin Elementary and Joseph Henry Elementary School in Galway for a total of 34 years.

Phyllis' love for God, her family, friends and community were reflected in her professional and personal life. She was involved in just about every community organization possible. The long list follows.

Galway Town Historian 52 years

Teacher at Joseph Henry Elementary School for 31 years

Life membership in the Galway PTA for her outstanding contributions to the youth of the community

4-H Leader for 25 years

Director of Elementary Student Council for 20 years

President of Galway Teachers Association

President and member of Galway Board of Education

Treasurer of the PTSA

Teacher of the Year in 1981

Founder of the Joseph Henry Day

Graduate of Liberty Home Bible Institute of Bible/Counseling 1991

President and member of Sacandaga Bible Conference Board

President and member of Barkersville Christian Church Board

President and member of the Galway Education Foundation

Member of Galway Library Board and Galway Pantry

President and member of Galway Senior Citizens

President and member of Foster Hill Cemetery Association

President and member of Galway Preservation Society

Chairman and member of the Galway Republican Committee

President of the Upper Hudson Historical Foundation

Owner/director of the Cook Museum of Local History

Executive Director of Billy Graham Association Crusade in Fonda in 1996

Coordinator of Operation Christmas Child for many years

Gideon for many years with the Saratoga Camp where she served as Auxiliary Chaplain

She received the State of New York Legislative Resolution from Senator Hugh Farley and M. A. Harris in 1988, commending her upon the occasion of her designation for a special honor by the state of New York 4-H Foundation and Cornell University

Inspiration to many in her church, community, neighborhood and memory care facility

Counselor, mentor, friend, example and true follower of Jesus Christ

Phyllis is survived by her son, Earl A Keeler and daughter, Kathy Guzman (Michael), both of whom reside in Florida. Grandchildren, Aimee and Eric, and great grandchildren Kingsten, Naomi, Remy, Evie and Courtland Ross; brother Lyman (Florence) White, niece Cheri (Marty) Sagatis, Lyman Jr. (Bobbi) White and John White, sisters-in-law Carole (Harvey) Hayner and Dorothy Pingelski, brother-in-law Lynn Delong, and many cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family in the Keeler, White and Frasier families.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of these organizations that Phyllis was part of and loved:

Galway Fire Dept, Galway Ambulance Corp, Greater Galway Community Pantry, Galway Lions Club, Galway Community Library, Galway Preservation Society

Sacandaga Bible Conference

Gideons International Gideons International

Cornerstone Hospice Gift Information

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