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Betty Rosemary Keeslar, age 87, of Burr Oak, Mich., passed away late Friday evening, Aug. 10, 2012, at the Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis.
She was born May 1, 1925, in Boyne City, daughter of the late Clarence and Margaret Ellen (Justice) Buckler.
Betty resided in Burr Oak since 1999 coming from Gaylord. Prior to that she lived in California. Much of her younger life until well into her 20s was spent in hospitals due to polio and tuberculosis.
On April 28, 1962, she married Leon Burr Keeslar in Anaheim, Calif. He died Dec. 25, 2003.
Betty was a dedicated homemaker enjoying crafts, canning, baking, embroidering, knitting, painting, cooking, walking and had a true love of nature and working in her garden.
For many years she was involved in the raising and showing of fur chinchillas and also raised and showed Palomino Horses. Her showing of the horses was both at hand and on horseback and she participated in many parades. Her daily journaling will be most appreciated by family members.
She is survived by one daughter, Sandra (Leroy) Bates of Waterford, Calif.; two grandchildren, Christina A. (Rick) Davis of Denton, Texas and Nichole E. (Stacey) Elkins of Tishomingo, Okla.; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; four step-sons, Arden R. Keeslar, Donald B. (Lori) Keeslar, Ronald M. (Renee) Keeslar and Michael J. (Gloria) Keeslar all of Burr Oak; two step-daughters, H. Joan (Cleon) Milliman and Sharon J. (Jerry) Perry both of Burr Oak; several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; two brothers, Billy (Lois) Buckler and Clayton (Nila) Buckler both of the Gaylord area; two sisters, Mattie Lee Townsend and Nancy Peabody both of the Gaylord area; sister-in-law, Lydia Buckler of the Gaylord area and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one son, Michael “Sam” Slack and one brother, James “Bennie” Buckler.
In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Betty R. Keeslar will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012 at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-3084. Mr. Larry Wallman will officiate. A graveside committal of her ashes and the ashes of her late husband will follow the service at North Gilead Cemetery in Bronson.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Keeslar’s memory consider the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 4002018, Des Moines, IA 50340-2018 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
