Harold L. Kellerman

While we are deeply saddened to announce the death of our family patriarch on April 30th, 2011, the Harold L. Kellerman family is comforted in the knowledge that he was able to pass peacefully at the age of 91 in the Prescott home he built with his own two hands.Harold was born on June 13th, 1919, in Iron Mountain, Missouri. His formal education was cut short in the 8th grade but he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s and always credited it, and F.D.R., with saving his life. And while he never graduated high school, he always considered education the key to success in life and constantly encouraged his children to learn in any capacity they could.On November 6th, 1937, he married the first love-of-his-life, Elvira Beatrice Champlin, in St. Charles, Missouri. They soon settled into a life of kids, work, more kids, and, of course, work on the side. In 1959 they loaded up the family station wagon, left the Midwest and began a new life in sunny Prescott, Arizona. He never regretted that decision. Over a span of 26 years, the couple would have a total of 11 children. This decisionhe occasionally did.Harold was a hard-working carpenter, skilled contractor and a proud member of Carpenters Local Union 326. He had a hand in the construction of the old Great Western Bank building downtown, Prescott High School, Taylor Hicks elementary, Granite Mountain Jr. High, the original Prescott College, Sharlot Hall Museum and many other local homes and businesses. After Elvira died in 1979, Harold married the second love-of-his-life, Dorothy Ann Hindman, on May 9th, 1980.Harold was sadly preceded in death by his first wife, Elvira Beatrice, his oldest son, Frederick Dale, and his granddaughter, Callie Beatrice. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Dorothy; his 4 daughters: Dr. Carol Hagen, Susie (Arthur) Savoini, Sharon (Pat) Murray and Mary (Dr. Neil) Dickey; his 6 sons: John (Linda), Joe (Pam), Larry (Connica), Bob (Karen), David, and Edward (Mardi); his 4 stepsons, Jim (Sharon), David (Chris), Larry (Ginger) and Paul (Claudia) Hindman. He is also survived by 30 wonderful grandchildren, numerous talented great and great-great grandchildren, and the many loyal friends he cherished, both young and old.While he is now gone from our lives, he will never ever leave our hearts. And we will always remember the basic lessons he taught each of us: to be nobodys fool, live your heaven here on earth and obey the Golden Rule. We love you, Grandpa. May you rest in peace.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Good Samaritan Society-Prescott Hospice and their associates for all the comfort and support they received and requests that donations be made to their organization in lieu of flowers. (1065 Ruth St., Prescott, AZ 86301)

Service:
A memorial service will be held for Harold at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home in Prescott. A reception will follow at the Harold L. Kellerman residence.