Obituary - Edward John Keeling

Edward John Keeling, 62, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Montana. At his request cremation has taken place. His celebration of life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at the Havre Elks. Memorials in Ed's honor may be made to the Havre Elks 1201 Club Fund.

Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.  Visit http://www.hollandbonine.com to leave a message of condolence for the family.

Ed was born Aug. 25, 1952, in Havre, Montana, to Gordon and Lorraine (Jacoby) Keeling. He was raised on the family farm north of Havre. He attended Simpson School until third grade, then moved in to Havre to attend St. Jude Thaddeus School and then to Havre High School.

He enlisted in the United States Marines in 1971 and was honorably discharged as lance corporal in 1973. While on leave from the Marines, Ed married Arla Purkett in 1972 in Havre. The couple had two children; Jason and Stacey. Ed entered into the National Guard in Havre in 1977 and was a weekend warrior. He retired from the guard as an E-6  after 28 years in 2005. Ed and Arla later divorced.

Ed met and married Lizabeth "Beth" Bastien  in 2011. Together they enjoyed traveling, and camping at the Bear Paws. Ed enjoyed his children, grandchildren, all of his nieces, nephews and his friends. He liked to tinker in the garage which was evident by all of the "unfinished" projects. He liked to attend the Havre Hi-Liners activities, picnics, camping and visiting.  Not being one for sports, Ed became a Cardinals fan and enjoyed watching their games. But most of all Ed loved his whiskey.

He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; his parents; mother and father-in law-Willie and Evelyn Purkett; father-in-law, Ted Crowley; sister-in –law Lori Nowell; his aunts, Ellen Sapp; Ione Bogut, Helen Broadhead and Virginia Michaelson.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lizabeth Keeling of Havre; his son, Jason (Jody) Keeling of Havre; and daughter, Stacey Keeling of Bismarck, North Dakota; son, Logan Gjesdal of Havre; step-children: Cassidy (Dan Sigafoose) Bastien of Everett, Washington,and Anthony Bastien of Seattle, Washington; his grandchildren: Ashlee, Jaden and Landen Keeling, Dylan Gjesdal, Kylie Gjesdal; his great-granddaughter, Amaya Keeling; his brothers, John Edward (Meldonna) Keeling of Havre and Rick Hammond of Havre;  several  aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.