Jan Stephen Keller, 66, of Marshall, Illinois passed away Friday, August 6, 2021 in Carle Foundation Hospital at Urbana, IL.

He was retired from the Illinois Penal System having worked in Pontiac, IL, Danville, IL and retiring from the Robinson Correctional Center in Robinson, IL.

Jan was born September 15, 1954, the son of Kenneth Richard and Virginia (Boewe) Keller.

Surviving are his former wife, Dawn Keller of Marshall,IL; two children, M’Leah Keller of Marshall, IL and Miles Keller and his fiancée, Katie Queen of Knoxville, TN; a step son, Jason Aderholtz of Mackinaw, IL; his mother, Virginia Keller of Olney, IL; grandchildren, Hunter Pitts and Bryer Trammell and step- grandchildren, Brogan and Rowan Aderholtz; friend Holly Kearns, Robinson, IL; siblings, Sheila (Bruce) Ernest of Olney, IL, Joni (Bob) Ferguson of Olney, IL, Todd (Courtney) Keller of Naples, FL, Clay (Janet) Keller of Olney, IL, Eric (Sonya) Keller of Olney, IL, and Shane Keller of Olney, IL; sister-in-law, Kim Keller of Olney, IL and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his brothers Sonny Keller and Brett Keller.

Jan grew up in West Salem and Olney, IL, graduating from East Richland High School with the Class of 1972. He was an athlete who played baseball and loved sports but he excelled playing trumpet in band. Quiet and to himself, not many know he excelled at the piano, especially enjoying Ragtime style piano. His musical talents allowed him a spot in Eastern Illinois University Band playing trumpet, and graduating with a degree in Recreation. Jan was hard working, spending his entire work career devoted to the Illinois Department of Corrections where he ran recreation departments for multiple prison locations. He coached, refereed, and umpired multiple sports including boxing, softball, basketball and weightlifting. Later in his career he was a prison counselor. Humble, to himself, great listener and non-judgmental. If you ever got the chance to sit down and talk to him, you immediately had a friend. He was a voracious reader, loved photography and could throw down prose like one of his favorite authors, Hunter S. Thompson. He used to run 6 miles a day and when he couldn’t run anymore he walked 10 miles a day, every day; and for some reason, sometimes barefoot. Combining his passion for being in the woods in places like Lincoln Trail State Park and photography, he created quite the photo collection of unique nature photos that not many can capture. But most important to him was the quality time he got to spend with his grandkids.

Jan will be missed by all. A beautiful soul. He may be missed the most by people in the Marshall area where he walked on Clarksville Road and always had a smile and a wave. It’s hard to wave good-bye but we will meet again. Memorial services will be held Saturday, August 14th at the Moravian Church in West Salem, IL at 11:00 AM . A second service will be at the Lincoln Trail State Park on Sunday, Aug. 15 at 3:00 PM. The service at Lincoln Trail State Park will be at Sassafras Boy Scout Pavilion with a short Celebration of Life Walk and Memorial. After this service a meal has been graciously donated by West Union Café, one of Jan’s favorites. Services will be informal in honor of Jan. He always preferred a t-shirt. In lieu of flowers, one can donate to: Student LIFE Academy. (money will go to help Autistic children advance their education and life skills) Online condolences are being accepted at pearcefuneralservices.com.

Pearce Funeral Home, Marshall, IL – August 10, 2021