Ira C. Keller, 71, of 925 N. Grant St., El Paso, formerly of Minonk, passed away at 2:24 am Sunday (Nov. 27, 2005) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

A funeral will be at 10:30 am Wednesday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso. Rev. Richard Olson and Dr. Harry Sanders will officiate. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, El Paso.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation or charity of the donor's choice.

Ira was born on Dec. 5, 1933 at Anna, a son of Fred and Connie Sadler Keller. He married Eva Stromberger on June 16, 1954 at Tupelo, Miss. She survives.

Other survivors include his mother, Connie Keller, Manteno; his daughter, Joyce (David) Hightower, Bloomington; his son, Wes (Pam) Keller, El Paso, grandchildren, Drew Keller and Brynn (Andy) Cain, both of El Paso; two sisters, Peggy (Robert) Hubbs, Manteno, and Linda (David) Flores, Tuscon, Ariz.; and one brother, Richard (Jackie) Keller, Kankakee.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Leon Keller.

Ira attended the First Baptist Church, Minonk, and was employed by Caterpillar Tractor Company in East Peoria for 42 years.