Mary Elizabeth Keller

   Mary Elizabeth Keller, 95 (nee Snyder) of Elyria formerly of Lorain died on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at the Wesleyan Village in Elyria following a brief illness.

   Mrs. Keller was born in Lorain, OH on October 8, 1911, the daughter of the late Custer and Beatrice (Heath) Snyder. She was a direct descendant of Gen. George A. Custer. She was a member of the Cornerstone United Methodist Church.

   She was a graduate of Lorain High School and 1934 graduate of Kent State University with of Bachelor's of Science degree.  After graduation, she worked as a social worker with the newly formed Welfare Department until she found a teaching position at Dola, Ohio. During WWII,  she worked as a hospital recreation worker for the Red Cross, detached to the US Army in Kennedy General Hospital in Memphis TN and then to Camp Croft in Spartansburg, NC.

  In 1950 , she returned to Lorain married Louis Keller, who predeceased her in 1990.

   She was a home economics teacher and social worker for both the Junior and Senior High Schools.  

   Mrs. Keller was the founder and first president of the Lorain County Home Economics Association. She was an instructor at the St. Joseph's School of Nursing. 

  She was the first president of the Black River Historical Society and served as secretary. She was a licensed pilot,  a member of the Sorosis Club, Lakeland Women's Club and the Rebecca Circle at her church.          

                                        
  Mrs. Keller was an active volunteer of the Red Cross and was the adult program director of the newly formed YWCA in 1959.

  She enjoyed traveling, collecting dolls, flowers, and gardening. She founded the Mary Elizabeth Keller Annual Scholarship in Home Economics for outstanding sophomores at Kent State University. She was a substantial supporter of the Community Foundation of Lorain County with the Mary Elizabeth Keller Unrestricted Fund for various charitable programs throughout the area. She also made substantial contributions to the Berea Children's Home.

  She is survived by her nieces and nephews. 

  In additions to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents Custer and Beatrice (nee Heath) Snyder, brothers Custer H., Daniel P. and N. Phelps Snyder.

   A Memorial Service is being planned for October 7, 2007 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel at the Wesleyan Village, 807 West Ave., Elyria, Ohio with Chaplain Beth McKee officiating. Burial will be on Monday, October 8, 2007 at 11:00 AM in the Ridge Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Amherst Township.

     Memorial contributions may be made to her scholarship fund- The Mary Elizabeth Keller Scholarship Fund, c/o Kent State University, PO Box 5190, Kent, Ohio 44242-0001.

     Arrangements by the Schwartz, Spence Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 45th Street, Lorain, Ohio  44052.