BOCA RATON, Fla. – Charles L. Keller, of Boca Raton, Fla., former president and CEO of Pioneer Plastics of Auburn, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 3.

Born in Ullin, Ill., June 13, 1918, he moved with his parents and siblings to Dearborn, Mich., in 1925.

In 1935, he began his working career at Fabricon Products in Detroit, Mich., where he worked 29 years.

He was a pioneer in the development of laminated products and the resins and chemicals used in their production.

In 1936, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Foley.

He served two years in the U.S. Navy as a physical instructor, training recruits at Great Lakes Naval Station.

In 1965, he joined Pioneer Plastics Corp. of Auburn, where he worked until he retired in 1983. The last 12 years he was president and CEO. A year after retiring, he worked as a consultant for the company for eight years, at which time he retired for good.

He served on the board of directors of Maine Mutual Savings Bank and was active in many civic programs in the area. He served on the board of directors of Taylor University and was a member of the Detroit Athletic Club, a country club in Michigan, the Martindale Country Club of Auburn, and the Cumberland Club of Portland.

He was blessed to be a member of the First United Methodist Church in Boca Raton, Fla.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 3/4 years, Carol; a son, the Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Keller; two grandchildren, Beth Legate and Jeffrey Keller; two great-grandsons, Jonathan and Jacob Keller; and a brother, John Keller of California.

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