KELLERMAN, Harold L.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, May 03, 2011 Harold L. Kellerman While we are deeply saddened to announce the death of our family patriarch on April 30, 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 13, 1919, in Iron Mountain, Mo. His formal education was cut short in the eighth 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 Nov. 6, 1937, he married the first love of his life, Elvira Beatrice Champlin, in St. Charles, Mo. 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, Ariz. He never regretted that decision. Over a span of 26 years, the couple would have a total of 11 children. This decision... he 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 9, 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 four daughters, Dr. Carol Hagen, Susie (Arthur) Savoini, Sharon (Pat) Murray and Mary (Dr. Neil) Dickey; his six sons, John (Linda), Joe (Pam), Larry (Connica), Bob (Karen), David and Edward (Mardi); and his four 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 nobody's 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. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at the Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011, with a reception to follow at the Harold L. Kellerman residence. You can also log onto www.ruffnerwakelin.com to sign Harold's guestbook, view a tribute to him and/or share your own special thoughts and memories. Information provided by survivors.