Martha E. Keller

Martha “Marty” Keller, 100, of Bucyrus, died on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Orchard Park Assisted Living.

She was born at home in Liberty Twp., Crawford County, on June 7, 1926, to the late Roy Ross and Mildred Irene (Blackford) Althouse and was a 1944 graduate of Bucyrus High School. On February 8, 1945, she married Frederick C. Keller, who preceded her in death on October 6, 1973. She cared for her family as a homemaker and also spent 26 years as a medical secretary for Dr. G.W. Bowersock.

Marty was a gifted pianist and played both piano and organ. She spent 25 years as the organist for St. Paul’s in Bucyrus and also assisted at St. John’s United Church of Christ and Good Hope Lutheran Church.

Marty was a longtime member of Good Hope Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir and assisted with playing the piano and organ. She was formerly a founding member and officer of the Col. Crawford Schools Foundation.

She was proud of her role in recruiting for the Army Air Force during WWII and authored and published a book about her father’s dog Brownie’s experiences in the Pacific Theater of that war.

Marty was an avid traveler, who saw many parts of the world and met some amazing people along the way. Because of her travels, she took a great interest in photography, which led to her professionally creating and presenting travelogue films about locations including Greece and Maine. She loved studying genealogy and occupied many hours researching both the Althouse and Keller family lines. Marty enjoyed crocheting and was an accomplished seamstress who made many of her dresses and suits. She had a big heart for cats, especially her pets, who offered her years of comfort and companionship.

Marty is survived by son, Charles H. (Lynne) Keller; grandsons, Michael (Melanie) Keller and Andrew (Cynthia) Keller; and great-grandson, Orion Keller.

She was preceded in death by son, Jeffrey C. Keller, and infant sister, Cleo May Althouse.

Memorial service arrangements are being planned and will be announced in the future weeks.

If desired, donations can be made payable to either the Humane Society Serving Crawford County, Good Hope Lutheran Church, or to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. These gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service. Memories and stories are encouraged to be shared with others on her guestbook at www.wisefuneral.com.