Linda R. Keeler, 80

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Linda Roberta (Pretnar) Keeler, 80, of Springfield, died on Monday, April 4, 2022, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 9, beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Hillsboro with Father Dan Bergbower of St. Agnes Parish in Springfield officiating. Friends and family may meet at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro at 12:30 p.m. to precede to the cemetery.

Ms. Keeler was born Feb. 23, 1942, the eldest child of Albert and Maryann Pretnar. She married James Keeler in 1966, and they later divorced in 1969.

She attended St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis and graduated from Nokomis High School with the class of 1960. Following high school, she moved to Springfield, where she resided throughout her life.

Ms. Keeler attended beauty school and worked for the Illinois Secretary of State for a short period of time. In the 1960s, she worked at the Governor’s Hotel and the St. Nicholas Hotel, and made many friends in the Springfield and surrounding area.

In the 1970s and 80s, she worked at the Southern Aire Restaurant in Springfield. In the late 1970s, she also assisted her mother and father in operating Hap’s Tavern in Coalton until it closed in 2000.

In 1987, Ms. Keeler started publishing the Senior News and Times of Illinois, where she remained publisher and editor of the quarterly newspaper until her passing. The publication is geared toward providing information and advice to Illinois seniors. She enjoyed her newspaper business and developed many friendships and acquaintances among Illinois seniors as a result.

Ms. Keeler travelled to many places in the U.S. and Canada, and was an outgoing and fun person to know. A very loving and hardworking daughter, she helped care for her parents until their passing. She was also a loving and caring sister, and was a good aunt to her nieces and nephews, providing sage advice when it was needed.

She remained close with many of her cousins with whom she grew up with in the Nokomis area. She was also an exceptional Italian cook.

Ms. Keeler is survived by her brother, Alan (Andrea) Pretnar of Taylor Springs; nieces, Suzanna (David) Rosenblatt, Gina (Donovan) Van Zandt, both of the Austin, TX, area, and Maria (Ty Goad) Pretnar of South Bend, IN; nephew, Nicholas Pretnar of Santa Barbara, CA; great-nephews, James and Grayson Albright, Beau Tolmachoff, Asher Van Zandt, all of Austin, TX, and Elijah Goad of South Bend, IN; and aunt, Helen Poteet of Coalton, to whom she was close throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Maryann Ceballos; as well as her best friends and canine companions, Samson and Max.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Louis Catholic School in Nokomis.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.basspattondeanfh.com.