Shirley I. Kocher-Keller

Shirley I. Kocher-Keller died on September 27 at the age of 87.

Shirley was one in a million — a woman of spark, warmth, and love. She treasured time with her grandchildren and always lit up when they came to visit.

She was recognized for her bright, unforgettable style: Elton John Rocket Man glasses, sequin tops, clip-on earrings, colorful rings, and signature lipstick — always paired with her radiant smile. She had a gift for positivity and humor, and was wonderfully eccentric, never concerned about what other people thought. She loved to shock people just to make them laugh.

The first year Shirley taught first grade, she bought a gold Chevy Nova, fondly called the “Autumn Bottom.” Forever late because she was applying makeup, she would race out of Benton at top speeds. Her 18-year-old neighbor, Harry Hartman, would wait at the edge of town to drag race her all the way to Stillwater.

Shirley was born on August 1, 1938, in Tyrone, PA. As a child, she collected water bills for her father at the Benton Water Company. She graduated from Benton High School in 1956.

She was married to Joseph Andrysick (1958–1970), Fred Kressler (1971–1981), and Robert W. Keller (1984–2017).

Shirley earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Education from Bloomsburg State Teachers College, graduating summa cum laude.

She worked as a 1st–4th grade teacher for 18 years at W.W. Evans, Beaver Main, and Bloomsburg Memorial Elementary Schools.

In 1980, Shirley made history as the first female Republican delegate from Columbia County. She later served as an Auditor at the Bloomsburg Courthouse for more than 12 years.

She was a member of the Benton and Raven Creek Presbyterian Churches.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Carl P. Kocher, and her beloved husband, Bob Keller.

Surviving are her children: John, Jeff and Lorelei Andrysick; Grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Christina, Rachel, and three great grandchildren. Siblings: Kay Kline, and Ed Kocher. 

We will deeply miss her world-class back scratches and how she ended every statement with her signature: “Wooonderful!”

A memorial service will be held next year on her birthday, August 1.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders.

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve Shirley’s family. For online condolences or for additional information, please visit our website: www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley I. Kocher-Keller, please visit our floral store.