The Putnam County School District family mourns the loss of Jan Dunn Keller, who taught locally for 15 years and died Aug. 23.

Jan was a third-grade teacher at Kelley Smith Elementary School and known to all of us in the district as a caring, dedicated and skilled teacher. Jan began her teaching career at Interlachen Elementary School and taught at Kelley Smith for the last four years.

A loving and caring daughter and mother to two children, Jan was known to colleagues as a teacher who took the issues of her students to heart and treated children in her care as her own. Jan loved teaching, the beach and the color green. On Friday, Aug. 27, faculty and students at Kelley Smith wore flip-flops and dressed in green in memory of Jan. 

She is survived by her mother, Norma “Jo” Dunn; daughter, Kasey Jo Keller; son, Eric David Keller; former husband, Rick Keller; brothers, Van Dunn & wife, Shelley, Mark Dunn & wife, Tammy and Michael S. Dunn; aunts, Mary Dibler and Joyce Carpenter; nephews, Ryan Dunn, Noah Dunn, and Cooper Dunn; cousins, Cindy Peairs, Lisa Wheeler, Craig Dibler, Sonya Treat, and Capt. Sandy Carpenter.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday Aug. 28 at the Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Gene Maddox officiating.  Friends may call Saturday from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity United Methodist Church. In celebration of her life a memorial video will be shown.  Private family burial will be at a later date in Palatka Memorial Gardens.  Memorial donations can be made to: Scholarship Fund of Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Husson Avenue, Palatka, Florida, 32177 or to: The Lee Conlee House, P. O. Box 2558, Palatka, Florida, 32178-2558. 

We have designed this memorial page for those who knew Jan to express their thoughts and feelings about her.

Comments

[Clint Fussell]

Noticing there was a 'Jan Keller Day' for Domestic Violence brought joy to my heart. I am so glad that Putnam County Schools are remembering Mrs. Keller while at the same time taking the time to discuss violence. It was a privilege to had worked with Mrs. Keller. She was a dear lady with a good heart for children. She will always be remembered in my heart for the year that we spent together. WAY TO GO PUTNAM SCHOOLS AND I DO MISS YOU! -Clint

[ANIYAH FOSTER]

I HAD MRS.KELLER AS MY 4TH GRADE READING TEACHER AT KSES AND HER SMILE WOULD BRIGHTEN UP MY DAY. GOD BLESS MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO TO HER FAM.MRS KELLER WILL BE MISSED.

[glenda keeton]

To Jan's family and friend's at Kelly Smith who I miss dearly. When I clean her room everyday she always had a smile on her face, didn't matter what kind of day she had she always prepared for the next day. That night of meet and greet, I gave her a hug and she said come look at my room and tell me what you think. She always put the kids first, know matter what. I told her it looked great and she had the biggest "Smile" like always. I enjoyed
everyday I clean her room. You will be missed. But you will always be the "Angel".

Love Always,
Glenda

[Kim Baggs]

Remembering a few years ago like it was yesterday... Jan and I were on the same grade level team and enjoyed many laughs and encouraging talks. One morning she came to work and her car was having problems - we spent hours on the phone trying to make sure the mechanics were fixing the right parts and charging a decent fee. :-) Things small or large - she never gave up hope. It was a privilege to have encountered such a lovely person. My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family.

[Lacey Hawk]

Jan, we will miss seeing your smiling face every day at Kelley Smith! I will especially miss the way that we laughed and joked about different things and the faces that you made when we did, and how I always joked with you about moving to 5th grade. I am so glad that I was lucky enough to have shared your first few years on your team. You were so amazing and caring. The kids always LOVED Mrs. Keller! Thank you for always helping me and being there for all of us if we needed anything. We love you and we miss you more and more each day!!!!

[Lisa Hewett]

So sad, but heaven has gained another angel:) God bless to all and the family:)

[Sherry Cusato and Carletta Lyons]

When my sister and I cleaned her room at Kelley-Smith we were anxious to get to her room... she was always so sweet and that precious smile. She would just brighten up your day passing her on the sidewalk and sometimes, as busy as she was, would take the time to talk and tell a cute little story about something. She sure knew how to brighten up a persons day. We will miss her terribly. Thoughts and prayers, Sherry Cusato and Carletta Lyons

[Bonita]

The angels in heaven now have a wonderful person and teacher to fly around with, I can just hear them laughing now at her funny stories, how lucky we have been, since we where blessed to know her, keep smiling beautiful angel and know you are missed and loved!

[Clint Fussell]

I was in shock when I heard of this. Having taught side-by-side with Mrs. Keller during my time at Kelley Smith was a great honor. I had the opportunity of getting to know her and becoming friends with this wonderful lady who had a great care and concern for each of her children. I thought of her many days after I left from teaching at Kelley Smith. It breaks my heart to think of the tragedy that occured; however, the memories of this wonderful teacher will continue to linger in my heart as well as many others for years to come. I extend my sympathy to each of the faculty members and family of Mrs. Jan Keller. It is hard to put every emotion into words, but there is someone who understands the pain that each of us goes through. Just keep up the faith and believe in the sunstainer of life. GOD BLESS -CLINT FUSSELL
(Love each of you at Kelley Smith)

[Trenease Taylor]

Even though I didn't know Jan I was very sad to know that this had happend to one of our own, my prayers go out to her family and all the little children who she touched over the years!

[Cheryl Pellicer]

You were more than a teacher, you were a true friend. Payton was so lucky to have you as her teacher last year. You will be forever in our hearts. We miss you so much.

[Vicki Martin]

Jan was a delight to work with and to know. She was more than a teacher to her students; the mother figure some didn't have and the nurturer so many needed. We were blessed to know her and to work with her. Rest in Peace, lovely lady!

[Michelle Hall]

Jan was a great teacher and confidant to my 2 children. Brandon had her in 3rd grade and Alyson had her just last year. We all adored her and loved her. We will surely miss her smiling face and spirit.

[Kerry Cooley- KSES Teacher]

Jan- Your third grade team misses you! I miss our team meetings last year and hearing your animated stories about your children. You had a way of bringing humor and laughter to us all. Thank you for loving your job and reminding us to be positive!

[Alice Ryals]

Jan always had a ready smile and genuinely cared about ALL of her students. It is truly a great loss to our educational community. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

[Richard]

I had Mrs. Keller for 5th grade when she taught at IES. Mrs. Keller will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go to her family.

[nelly]

my prays go out to her family.she was a nice teacher and she always had a smile on her face.we will miss her.

[Victoria F.Barrera]

Remembering a good teacher with a good heart. She will surely be missed.

[Gary Nilsson]

Jan and her family have always been special to me. I first had her dad Sydney as a principal in the 5th grade and later went to work for him at the media services dept. In this time I got to know Van, Mark, Michael and Jan. Sydney always talked about his children and his wife Jo. This family has been through so much in the past 2 years. I'll always remember Jan and her beautiful smile.
Gary Nilsson

[Nancy Methvin kindergarten teacher KSES]

I will always remember Jan's smile and her cooperative spirit. Jan loved teaching and her kids. We will surely miss her!