Clifford Layne Keller

Clifford Layne Keller, 69, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly on January 4, 2023. He was born on March 29, 1953, to Roy and Eldora (Simpher) Keller in Biloxi, Mississippi. He graduated from Ames High School, Ames, Iowa, attended Iowa State University and was self-employed.

When Cliff was able, he loved to play pickleball, 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 very 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, Missouri.

He is survived by his parents, Roy and Eldora (Simpher) Keller; sister, Jana (Steve) Schwarz of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; daughter, Christina (Brian) Budzinski; son, Clinton (Crystal) Keller; daughter, Charleen (Nick) Fantasma; 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 Trinity Lutheran Church in Kearney, Missouri, on March 11, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. There will be a gathering after the service at the Budzinski’s following the service starting at 2 p.m., the address will be available at the church. In Lieu of flower donations can be made to  the American Heart Association.