Juanita Mae Kellerman

Juanita M. (Tyler) Kellerman, age 89, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Friday, August 2, 2019, at Richmond Healthcare, Richmond, Kansas.

It was in the Oklahoma community of Maud where Juanita Mae Tyler was born, on February 28, 1930. She was the 2nd child of Eldren Cecil and Laura May (Patterson) Tyler. Baby Robert had died at birth and three more babies later met the same fate for the Tylers. Juanita’s brother, William Eugene Tyler was their other surviving child.

There were many moves for Juanita, to several Oklahoma and Texas cities, before Maysville and Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, then to Iowa, Nebraska, and the Kansas City, Missouri and Johnson County, Kansas areas. She attended school in Nebraska, the Kansas City plaza area, and Merriam and Mission, Kansas. After graduating from Shawnee Mission Rural High School in 1948, she then attended the Kansas City Business College, graduating in 1949.

Juanita and Lawrence Gerald Kellerman were married on September 17, 1949, in Shawnee, Kansas. They moved to a home they purchased in Overland Park, Kansas, residing there until their move to Garnett, Kansas, in 1959. That year they purchased a home on West First Avenue, where Juanita has continued to reside.

A member of Garnett’s First Christian Church, Juanita served as the Church Secretary some 18 years, which was during the time Rev. Gary Benjamin was Minister. As long as she was able, she continued doing volunteer work for her church. Juanita became a member of the Independence Pioneers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on October 18, 1961. On October 9, 1969 Juanita and a dedicated group of charter members formed Garnett’s Four Winds Chapter of the D.A.R. She was also a member of the Anderson County Historical Society, and the East Central Kansas Genealogical Society. She served on the boards of the Bicentennial Committee that organized and founded the Garnett Cemetery Avenue of Flags; Garnett Recreation Commission; and Garnett Youth Incorporated until the City of Garnett took control.

In her genealogical research, she was able to prove eleven Revolutionary War ancestors of her own, as well as aiding many others in their pursuit of ancestors.

Juanita loved gardening and had many flowers. She planted many shade and ornamental trees and shrubs.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence Kellerman on August 23, 1995; four infant siblings; and one daughter in law, Colleen Kellerman.

Juanita is survived by her three children, Larry R. Kellerman of Washington, Illinois, Laura Mae Cunningham and husband, Steven of Princeton, Kansas; and Landon Tyler Kellerman and wife, Michelle of Gardner, Kansas; eight grandchildren, Patrick Kellerman, Cynthia Kellerman, Clarissa Cunningham of Ottawa, Kansas, Christina Dean and husband, Jared of Ottawa, Nathaniel Cunningham and wife, Reba of Great Falls, Montana, Curtis Kellerman of Gardner; Dusty Caswell and wife, Alyssa of Waverly, Kansas, Thomas Kellerman; two great grandson, Knox Dean and Barrett Dean of Ottawa; one great granddaughter, Charlotte Dean of Ottawa; as well as several step-grandchildren; her brother, William Eugene Tyler of Kansas City, Kansas; his children; several cousins; and several of her husband’s siblings, Fred Kellerman, George Kellerman, Milo Kellerman, and Donald Kellerman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at the First Christian Church, Garnett. Interment will follow in the Garnett Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Monday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 219 S. Oak, Garnett. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or to Garnett’s Four Winds Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .