Wayne Keltner, age 92, of Willard, MO passed away on Wednesday, June 2^nd, 2021. Wayne was born on April 20^th, 1929 in Climax Springs, MO and was the son of Claud and Velma Keltner. Upon graduating from Climax Springs High School he enlisted in the United States Army where he served at Fort Carson, Colorado.  He then attended Southwest Missouri State in Springfield, MO. He received his Specialist in Educational Administration and his Master’s in counseling.  Wayne was a faithful member of Hillcrest Presbyterian Church for over 50 years where he served as a Elder, Deacon and Trustee.

Wayne married Pat (Appleton) Keltner on October 10^th, 1951.  They were married for 69 years and were blessed with two children; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Claud and Velma Keltner; brother Keith Keltner; sister-in-law Dixie Keltner; niece Leslie Davis; in-laws Clyde and Cleo Appleton, and brother-in-law Clyde Appleton.

Survivors include his wife Pat of Willard, MO; son Mike (Beverly) Keltner of Springfield, MO; daughter Leah Keltner of Springfield, MO; grandchildren Caeli (Drew) Richards of Hope Mills, North Carolina and Connor Keltner of Lumberton, North Carolina; great grand-children Knox and Benton Richards; brother Lowell (Laura) Keltner of Fordland, MO and brother Garry (Betty) Keltner of Ozark, MO and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne began his teaching and coaching career in 1957 at Marion C. Early Schools in Morrisville, MO where he coached all boys and girl’s sports. He joined Springfield Public Schools in 1967 at Kickapoo Junior High, later Cherokee, where he was a teacher and coach. He then went to Pershing Junior High as an assistant principal before moving to Glendale High School in the same role. He finished his career as principal of Hickory Hills Junior High where he received two Missouri Principal of the Year awards in his five year tenure. He retired in 1986 to concentrate on being a grandpa and farmer while supervising student teachers at Missouri State University for 20 years. All the while attending family events highlighted by Caeli and Connor’s various sporting activities.

Wayne loved the outdoors and took great pride in the work he did on his farm.  He raised cattle, horses, hunting dogs, and racing greyhounds.  In his spare time he enjoyed hunting and fishing. In later years, he began traveling to North Carolina to visit his grandchildren and great-grandchildren while attending college basketball games being coached by Drew and Connor. Family was always his priority.

Wayne impacted so many lives in so many ways through education, sports, church, and farming. He was generous, selfless, and exhibited great wisdom. His teams always played hard and were fundamentally sound regardless of the sport, but basketball was his love and he imparted that to those around him. In 2011 he was the first inductee into the Marion C. Early Hall of Fame.  In 2019 he was honored by the naming of the fieldhouse after him.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 6^th, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation with pastors Jack Cormack and Kent Hollingsworth officiating.  A private burial will be held at the Springfield Veterans Cemetery on Monday, June 7^th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marion C. Early Athletics, 5305 South Main Street, Morrisville, MO 65710.