Kirt Dean Keller , April 23, 1935 — February 12, 2019

April 23, 1935 – February 12, 2019 Kirt Dean Keller, 83, of Guntersville, passed away Tuesday, February 12, 2019. He was preceded in death by father, Lester P. Keller, mother, Alma J. Keller, son, Mark Keller, and brother, David Keller. He was born and raised in the Hebron community and upon graduation from Marshall County High School in 1953 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War.

Kirt attended the University of Alabama after discharge and worked for the Rohm Haas Company on Redstone Arsenal as a chemist developing and testing propellants for Army and NASA missile systems. In 1967, after declining a transfer to Philadelphia PA, he left the company and opened Kirt’s Burger Basket in Claysville – serving hamburgers, fries, and onion rings to thousands of customers long before McDonald’s and Burger King came to the area. He opened two other Burger Baskets in Marshall County before eventually selling them.

He later opened and operated Kirt’s Restaurant in Claysville for many years. After selling the restaurant to Bruce Walker and family, he retired to raising huge gardens and various other endeavors. One endeavor was serving as Bill Harris’ first mate on one of Bill’s famous trips up the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers in his 14’ aluminum boat – which he said was easily more frightening than his time in Korea.

Surviving are wife, Jane B. Keller, their son, Karl (McGee) Keller, grandchildren, Annabelle, Easton, Victoria and Olivia, his son, Rick (Judy) Keller, grandchildren, Mari Chris, Annalyse (Sam) and Elizabeth, brothers, Donald (Emily) Keller, and Gary (Ann) Keller, sister, Brenda Chamblee, and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Saturday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at New Hope Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at Walker Cemetery, Saturday at 3:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations to be made to Shepherd’s Cove Hospice, 408 Martling Rd, Albertville, AL 35951. www.

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