Bernice Hirzel Keller

Bernice Hirzel Keller, 86, went to her heavenly home with The Lord on Thursday, April 28, 2011. She was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma on November 2, 1924 to the late Homer Herman Hirzel and Bernice Stansbury Hirzel. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Edwin Loraine Keller and Sisters Betty Pauline Waller and Mary Louise Reese. Bernice leaves behind a loving family. She is survived by daughter, Lorrie Sue Keller, of Oklahoma City, son, Larry Wade Keller and his partner Steve Fowler of Oklahoma City, daughter, Jana Keller Burton, son-in-law, Scot Burton and grandchildren, Ally Michelle Burton and Andrew James Burton all of Fayetteville, Arkansas. She was born and raised in Guthrie, Oklahoma. After graduating from Guthrie High School, she attended college at Oklahoma A and M (OSU) where she majored in music. It was during this time she married the love of her life, Edwin L. Keller of Guthrie. Following their wedding, Edwin was sent to the European Theater of WWII. Bernice's courage and faith was strengthened during the many months he was missing in action and then imprisoned as a POW in Poland. Following V-Day, Bernice and Edwin attended Oklahoma City University as music students. Bernice graduated from OCU with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a minor in Piano. She studied voice at OCU with renowned Professor Inez Silberg. Bernice appeared as the lead in the first post World War II OCU production of the operetta, "Naughty Marietta". For many years Bernice was a soloist in church choirs and conducted youth choirs while assisting her husband, Edwin, in his position as Minister of Music at Pilgrim Congregational, Northwest Christian and Central Presbyterian Churches in Oklahoma City. She toured as singer with Herbert Bagwell's performing ensemble, "The Gypsies", was a piano accompanist with Ballet Oklahoma, Yvonne Chouteau and accompanist/vocal coach for Inez Silberg. Her most treasured role, however, was that of loving and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother to her husband, children and grandchildren.