Lt. Col. Julius Hale 'Ace' Keller, formerly of Du Quoin

Lt. Col. Julius Hale "Ace" Keller, 96, of Weslaco, TX, formerly of Du Quoin, departed this life at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Amara Hospice in Edinburgh, TX.

He was the beloved husband of Wanda. He was the son of Fred and Leota Keller of Du Quoin, Illinois, and was born on Sept. 2, 1921 at Paradise Prairie, Perry County, Illinois.

Julius had three sisters, Virginia (Don) Beggs (both now deceased); Faye (Wade) Harris (Faye deceased), and Maretta (Paul, "Buddy") Hall.

Ace attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in preparation for military officer qualifications. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years, always as a pilot. He flew many kinds of planes, and logged more than 1,000 hours in the B-47.

Following the end of World War II, Ace was assigned to the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. In total, he logged more than 24,000 flying hours in his lifetime (nearly 3 years in the air!)

In 1941, Julius married Lillian Schellenger of Sparta, Illinois, and had three children: Bruce, Jeff and Candace. Lillian passed away in 2008.

Ace is survived by Bruce and Linda (Rich) Keller of California and their daughter, Nicole Keller of New York City; Jeff and Beth (Davis, Beth now deceased) Keller of Orlando and their son, Cody Keller of Tampa; and Candy and John Keller-Raber (Raber) of Clermont, Florida, and their children, Stacey Daker, Amy Taylor, Bridget Stratton and son, Ziggy Keller-Raber.

Ace had four great-grandchildren, Emerson and Annika Stratton and Izabella and Zeke Keller-Raber.

After retiring from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Ace and his wife, Wanda Vest Keller, traveled and eventually returned to Du Quoin to care for Ace's father, Fred. While living in Du Quoin he served as a Zoning Commissioner and was honored as Grand Marshal in the Veterans Day Parade.

He also traveled extensively with the late John Rednour, including a 5,200 mile Trans-Siberian Railway trip across China and Russia. Ace and Wanda lived in Du Quoin until moving to Weslaco, Texas, in 2015.

Thanks to his many friends and relatives for their thoughtfulness over the years. All will miss his ready smile and love of life. "May his flight West be smooth and his landing soft." We miss you, Dad.

A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Sunset Memorial Park in Du Quoin with Rev. Paul Hall officiating. Those attending are asked to go directly to the cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Du Quoin V.F.W. and American Legion and the United States Air Force.

Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin is in charge of arrangements. For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.