The Excelsior Standard, Mar. 3, 2023

Clifford Keller

Clifford Layne Keller, 69, of Excelsior Springs passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 4, 2023. He was born on March 29, 1953, to Roy and Eldora (Simpher) Keller in Biloxi, Miss. He graduated from Ames High School in Ames, Iowa, attended Iowa State University and was self-employed. When Cliff was able, he loved to play pickleball and golf, coach soccer and travel. He married Sandee Garifo on June 28, 1975, and had three children: Christina, Clinton and Charleen. They later divorced. He was so proud of his children and his grandchildren. He loved them all dearly. When talking about his children he often said, “I have one of each, a girl, a boy and an athlete.” He was proud of everything his children had achieved and was looking forward to watching the next generation grow up and was looking forward to seeing what they were going to accomplish. He helped his sister in caring for their parents whenever help was needed, which is a rare quality these days. He will be missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Rose (Grossheider) Keller, and Henry and Erma (Siemers) Simpher, all of Cape Girardeau.

He is survived by his parents, Roy and Eldora (Simpher) Keller; sister, Jana (Steve) Schwarz of Excelsior Springs; daughters, Christina (Brian) Budzinski and Charleen (Nick) Fantasma; son, Clinton (Crystal) Keller; and six grandchildren, Victoria and Alexander Budzinski, Callen Keller, Luciana, Dominic and Luciano Fantasma, all of Kansas City; and several nephews and nieces.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on March 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kearney. There will be a gathering after the service at the Budzinski’s following the service, starting at 2. The address will be available at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.