Hilda M. Keller, 92, of Rock Island, passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Silver Cross, Rock Island, under the care of UPH-Trinity Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:00 PM on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Visitation will be held from 4 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th. Ave., Rock Island with a rosary being recited at 3:30 PM. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island, Alleman High School, or Seton Catholic School. Hilda was born on February 10, 1924 in Ottawa, IL, the daughter of James L. and Marie (Dunn) Cushing. She married Leo Keller on September 8, 1947 in Ottawa. She worked as a teacher at St. Pius X Catholic Church teaching music for grades 1-8 for 25 years, then she became a teacher’s aide at Earl Hanson Elementary School, before retiring in 1989 she worked for the Secretary of State in the driver’s division. Hilda was a charter member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island and the Knights of Columbus Auxillary. She was active at the church participating in the Altar and Rosary Society and teaching music, where she started and directed the first choir. Hilda is survived by her husband of 69 years, Leo Keller, Rock Island; children, Patricia (Duane) Cuoco, Coal Valley and Thomas (Peggy) Keller, Rock Island; grandchildren, Brian (Melissa) Keller, Thomas (Stacey) Leo Keller, Timothy (Tina) Cuoco, and Tracy (Nate) Battaglia; great grandchildren, Tyler, Jack, Sophia, John, Mateo, Briana, and Alissa; and brother, Donald Cushing, La Grange, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jim Cushing.
Leo A. Keller, 95, of Rock Island, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Rock Island. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday at Wheelan Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island. Visitation will follow the Rosary from 3 to 5 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Memorials may be made to St. Pius X Catholic Church or to Alleman Catholic School. Leo was born June 29, 1923 in Moline, a son of John and Letitia Dunavin. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and married Hilda Cushing on September 8, 1947 in Ottawa, IL. Hilda and Leo were married for 69 years, prior to Hilda’s passing on December 11, 2016. Leo worked for Illinois Bell Telephone Company for 36 years in communication services. Leo was a Charter Member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus Allouez Council 658. Leo was also a member of the Moline American Legion and the Illinois Bell Telephone Pioneers. He was very proud of his family and his military service. Leo had a great passion for his Church and was very involved along with his wife, Hilda. Survivors include: his children; Patricia (Duane) Cuoco, Coal Valley and Thomas (Peggy) Keller, Rock Island; grandchildren, Brian (Melissa) Keller, Thomas (Stacey) Leo Keller, Timothy (Tina) Cuoco and Tracy (Nate) Battaglia; great grand children, Tyler, Jack, Sophia, John, Mateo, Briana and Alissa. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and a brother, Bernard.
