Elvin Duwayne Keller

Elvin Duwayne Keller, 88, of Brooklyn, CT formerly of Willimantic,CT, beloved husband of Joan (Kasperkiewicz-Ragazzi) Keller passed away peacefully on Tuesday April 14, 2015 with his wife by his side at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home in Brooklyn. Duwayne was born April 3, 1927 in Altoona, PA. In addition to his wife of forty-two years, he is survived by five children, Rebecca Smiley and her husband Reed of San Antonio, TX, Stephen Keller of Hebron, CT Kathryn Ragazzi Roberts and her husband Stephen of Windham Center, CT, Elizabeth Plesz and her husband Stephen of Windham Center and Eric Keller of Carrboro, NC; daughter in law Deborah Keller of Hebron, grandchildren, Kara Smiley, Erin Lecce and her husband Kevin, and David Smiley and his wife Augarite all of San Antonio, Benjamin Keller, John Keller and Mary Keller all of Hebron, James Roberts, Stacey Roberts and Haley Roberts all of Windham Center; and great grandchildren, Jackson Lecce and Maya Leece of San Antonio. He also leaves a brother and sister in law Eugene and Mary Lou Keller of Altoona. Duwayne served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a graduate of University of Iowa where he received his Master's and PhD degrees. In 1961 he joined the Department of Human Development and Family Relations at University of Connecticut in Storrs. His teaching and work with graduate students there involved the areas of personal behavior and the prevention of social behavioral problems. Duwayne directed the University Preschool and chaired the building committee for the new Human Relations and Family Development Building on south campus. He taught over five thousand undergraduates over the years and every single PhD student he guided became a professor in time. He had served as an editorial consultant reviewing manuscripts and textbooks. Duwayne had also served as chairman of the Windham Redevelopment Agency, was a board member of both Juniper Hill Village in Storrs and Safe Haven for pregnant girls. He had served the United Church of Christ in every imaginable capacity from the local level at Storrs Congregational Church to the national level of the denomination. Duwayne enjoyed family vacations over the years at the beach in the York and Ogunquit area of Maine, the Rhode Island beaches and his many senior bus trips with Joan. He also enjoyed taking classes at Learning in Retirement in the Storrs area. Duwayne had a warm friendly smile for everyone. He will be missed by all. He was a genuine man with a great passion for life for his family. Though he is now gone in body, he will never be forgotten. His family will receive relatives and friends on Monday April 20, 2014 between 6:00 and 8:00pm at Potter Funeral Home 456 Jackson St. (Rte. 195) Willimantic, CT. A public graveside service will be held on Tuesday April 21st at 10:00am in St. Joseph Cemetery, Club Rd., Windham, to be followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00am at Storrs Congregational Church, 2 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT. It was Duwayne's request that in lieu of flowers, any memorial donations be made to Storrs Congregational Church, 2 North Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT. 06268. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .