Ulis Keeling

On Friday afternoon May 14, 2021, Ulis Chester Keeling left home taking his final steps up to Heaven to be with his heavenly Father and his loved ones. He was 83 years, 5 months, and 18 days young.
Born at the family home in the Sunny Slope area near Ralston, Oklahoma, Ulis entered this world on Thursday, November 25, 1937. He was the third child  born to parents Elba Irene (Trotter) and Luther Sylvester Keeling. Ulis, a life-long resident of the Sunny Slope Community, attended Ralston Schools growing up.

In 1957 he graduated with his fellow Ralston Tiger classmates. Ulis looked forward to the annual “Labor Day Weekend Celebration” then every other year- the Ralston School Reunion where alumni would gather for a day of festivities and visiting before the evening banquet.

He married Donnella “Dody” Elsberry on March 3, 1962 and the couple made their first home in California where Huey their oldest son was born.  Shortly afterwards in 1964, the family moved back to Oklahoma and they made their home in the Sunny Slope area. The couple was blessed with their second son, David in 1969.

Ulis worked farming and ranching all his life.  He especially enjoyed raising his Holstein cattle. From an early age he was an avid outdoorsman, fishing, riding horses, and hunting were among his favorite pastimes, on occasion he could be found “pond hopping” while tending to his cattle.

Ulis was a longtime member of the First Osage Baptist Church with an unwavering Christian faith. He was dedicated to serving his Lord, especially on Sunday mornings where he welcomed attendees at the front door with a big smile and strong handshake until ill health took over. Ulis will be greatly missed by friends and family as well as his church family in Fairfax.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his sons, Huey Keeling and companion Jeannie Beartrack of Burns Flat, Okla. and David (Cissy) Keeling of Ponca City; six grandchildren, Eddie Keeling, Samantha (Tyler) Muncy, Anna Goad, Josh Keeling, Nicosha Anderson (Curtis Horne), and Kambree (Tim) Dudinetz; four great grandchildren, Hunter Horne, Hallie Horne, Hanilyn Horne, and Cassee Dudinetz; brother Darrell (Ethel) Keeling of Ralston; several nieces and nephews; as well as many friends and acquaintances. Reunited in paradise with his parents, Elba and Luther, brother Eugene Keeling, sister Della Mae Keeling, and nephew Doug Keeling.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, May17 from 2p.m. to 7p.m. at the Hunsaker Wooten Chapel.

Funeral Services will be held 2p.m., Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at the First Osage Baptist Church with Pastor Kyle Rhodes officiant. Interment will follow at the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home. Casket bearers are Billy Bledsoe, Greg Garrett, Josh Keeling, Ben Keeling, Larry Dooley, and Terry Dooley. Honorary bearers are Bill Bledsoe Sr., and Gary Garrett.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Jan McInturf for her loving care she gave Ulis these past few years.

Mr. Keeling’s online guestbook is available at www.hunsakerwootenfuneralhome.com