Donald E. Keeler Sr., 79, of 161 Polly Miller Gulf Road, Mohawk, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, New Hartford, after a brief illness. He was born Aug. 16, 1926, in Schuyler, the son of William F. and Augusta M. (Hadsell) Keeler, and attended Mohawk schools. On April 15, 1943, he was married to Mary Boyer in the town of Columbia. She died on March 12, 1994. Don was employed as a toolmaker at Bendix Co., Utica, for 27 years, retiring in 1977. Mr. Keeler was also a town clerk for the town of Columbia for 12 years. He was a former member of the Southern Herkimer County Republican Club, New York State Town Clerks Association and Herkimer County Town Clerks Association. Don was also a past committeeman for the Herkimer County Republican Party. Survivors include his daughter, Diana M. Snell of Mohawk; three sons and three daughters-in-law, William E. and Maryann Keeler, Donald E. Jr. and Ernestine Keeler and Roger I. Keeler, all of Mohawk and Doris Keeler of Richfield Springs; his close companion, Vera Mowers of Mohawk; 13 grandchildren, William Jr., Brian, Donald III, Richard, Elizabeth, Amanda, John Jr., Arthur and Jamie Keeler, Sherry Gray, Carol Jacquays, Christina Snell and Matthew Snell; 18 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, John Keeler Sr., his grandson, David Todd Keeler; three brothers, Robert, Albert and Arthur Keeler, and two sisters, Arlene Fuller and Clara Carkees. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, at the Church of the Annunciation, West Street, Ilion, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Alfred A. Lamanna. Interment will be in Cedarville Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 5-8 p.m. at the Applegate and Day Funeral Home, 102 West St., Ilion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Center United Methodist Church. Donation envelopes are available at the Applegate and Day funeral home, Ilion (895-7722). For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.