Leonard Kim Keesler

The Reverend Leonard Kim Keesler, age 64 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the University Hospital, Columbia, Mo. Kim was born October 1, 1952 in Rifle, Colo., the son of Donald M. and D. June Hall Keesler. He was married on March 10, 1972 in Mulvane, Kan. to Anna L. Fuller. Kim graduated from Yuma High School in Yuma, Colo. and Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Mo. with a degree in Music Performance and Education. Kim taught music at Cole County R-5 in Eugene and Cole County R-1 in Russellville for many years prior to his retirement in 1994. He was later employed with Mike Kehoe Ford at the parts counter for 15 years until his retirement in 2012. He served as the pastor of Spring Garden Baptist Church for four years until his retirement in 2016. Throughout his life, Kim was the Minister of Music at numerous churches he attended. He was also the director and a member of the Show-Me-Showboaters, a men's barbershop choir, for many years. Survivors include: his wife of 45 years, Anna Keesler; three daughters, Anna Marie Munson and her husband Aaron of St. Louis, Mo., Lavonda Murray and her husband Jeremy of Jefferson City, Mo., and Kimberly Underwood and her husband John of Jefferson City, Mo.; one spare daughter, Karen Scheib of Bloomfield, Iowa; one brother-in-law, Leroy Slater of Bolivar, Mo.; 14 grandchildren, Anna Nicole Obermark and her husband Chad, Alexis Branson, Julia Sullens, Jacob Munson, Caleb Branson, Royce Sullens, Madeline Branson, Karson Murray, Matthew Munson, Jordan Murray, Samantha Murray, Tyler Munson, Kayla Willis, and Joseph Cothern; five great-grandchildren, Aubrey Obermark, Christian Munson, Jackson Blain, Annastasia Obermark, and Tristian Willis. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Donita Slater. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 5, 2017. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at the Spring Garden Baptist Church near Olean, Mo. with the Reverend Ken Martin officiating. Private interment will be in Rifle, Color. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Miller County Baptist Assn. Church Camp. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com