Mrs. Sylvia D. Keller

Sylvia D. (Merkel) Keller, 67, of Maidencreek Township, died peacefully, Thursday, October 31, 2024, in Orwigsburg Center.  She was the widow of Marlin D. Keller, who died April 14, 2017.  Born in Allentown, Sylvia, was a daughter of Annetta W. (Snyder) Merkel, Temple, and the late Alan L. Merkel.  She was a member of Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grimville, where she served as church organist for over 40 years.

Sylvia was a graduate of Kutztown Area High School, Class of 1974.  She was an accomplished and talented musician and singer.  She studied accordion, piano, flute and organ.  Sylvia played many musical instruments and enjoyed entertaining for anyone who would listen.  Her musical talents showed early-on, as she she sang on the radio with her sister at the age of 2.  Later she also appeared on television, as well as performing with the "Fairer Sex," an all-girl band from 1970 to 1983, which was established by her parents.  Music was her passion, well, next to Bingo and Elvis.  She entertained many at the Kutztown Folk Festival at the Lester Miller Hoe Down Stage.  During that time, she was encouraged by Dave Kline to write a song.  She wrote the famous "Shoofly Pie Blues" which was a hit at the festival.  Sylvia went on to write several other songs.

Besides her many musical talents she was a Commercial lines insurance agent in the insurance profession, having worked for Loomis Company, Inc., Essick and Barr, and Tompkins Insurance. Very early in her working career Sylvia worked for the former Skyview Diner, Krumsville, and the former Deisher Knitting Mills, Kutztown. Sylvia also was a lifetime member of Virginville Grange #1832, and held membership in Hamburg Fish and Game Association; Gibralter Fire Company; Alsace Manor Fire Company, and Reading Boosters.

In addition to her mother, Annetta, Sylvia is survived by a son Mathew D. Keller Fiance of Heather Scheetz, Auburn, Schuylkill County; and a daughter, Shalan (Keller), wife of David Kupp, Maidencreek Township.  Other survivors include grandchildren: Devon Kupp; Jonathan Kupp; Evan Turchanik; Kelsey Benfield; and great grandchildren: William Rouse and Zarina Rouse.  There are also sisters: Suzanne (Merkel), husband of Barry Hamm, Kempton; Stephanie (Merkel), wife of Glenn Meitzler, Temple; and Sheila (Merkel) Fisher, Temple.  There are also many loving nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband Marlin and father, Alan, Sylvia was predeceased by a brother, Gregory Merkel in 1987.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Sylvia's life will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Kutztown (Grimville), with Vicar Jeremiah T. Heydt, officiating.  Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the church.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family in New Bethel Zion Cemetery, Grimville.

The family requests contributions be considered in Sylvia's memory to Mount Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Kutztown, PA 19530.

Ludwickfh Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ludwickfh.com.