Valera C. (Schatz) Keller, 94, was called to heavenly glory on December 26, 2015 at the Defiance Area Hospice Center. Valera was born October 2, 1921, in New Bavaria, OH the daughter of Curtis and Ella (Meyer) Schatz. On February 14, 1943 , she married William Keller. She was a proud 1939 graduate of Holgate High School, having attended the Kelly School in rural New Bavaria through her first 8 years of schooling. She worked at several factory jobs in Defiance, including All Star Products, and then in North Carolina during WW II while her husband served in the U.S. Marines. After the war, they returned to Defiance to raise their family. Valera was a devoted mother and wife putting these responsibilities as her main priority. She also did volunteer work at Defiance Good Samaritan school along with working several other part-time jobs in her later years. Valera was a devoted member of St. John United Church of Christ, Defiance, (formerly the Evangelical and Reformed church) her entire life. She taught Sunday School, both at her childhood church in New Bavaria and at the Defiance church, and served as an officer of the the UCC Women's Guild for many years. Valera is survived by her son, Lynn (Sharon) of Defiance, grandchildren, Lisa (Matthew) Streuer and Jason (Stacie) Keller both of Cincinnati, in addition to five great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Valera was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William, a son, Dennis Keller, and three siblings, Geraldine Tuttle, Alene Williams and Byron Schatz. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 30 at Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home, Defiance. Funeral Service will be held at 11AM on Thursday, December 31 at St. John United Church of Christ, Defiance, with visitation an hour prior to services. Pastor Jim Brehler will officiate. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance following the service. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to St. John United Church of Christ or Hospice. Condolences may be shared at www.lawsonroessner.com

Visitation

DEC 30. 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EST)

Lawson-Roessner Funeral Home 1753 S. Clinton St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Visitation

DEC 31. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EST)

St. John United Church of Christ 950 Webster St. Defiance, OH, 43512

Service

DEC 31. 11:00 AM (EST)

St. John United Church of Christ 950 Webster St. Defiance, OH, 43512