Karen Sue Kellerman, 85, of Red Bud, died April 18, 2024, at Garden Place in Waterloo.  

She was born to the late Robert E. and Fern C. (nee Copelin) Berry on Aug. 4, 1938, in Xenia.  

Karen married her beloved “June”, Harold F. Kellerman, Jr. on Oct. 13, 1956, at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in East St. Louis; he preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 2018.  

Karen had a deep love for her family. Her mother was her very best friend. Together they took her four children on road trips all over the country when they were little. After they were raised, she continued to spread love to children by working at both Union & Washington schools in Belleville, Illinois. When she and June retired, they continued their love of traveling. Hawai’i and Alaska were their absolute favorite places to visit.

Karen was one of a kind. She didn’t know a stranger. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and always had a story to tell. She got a kick out of being ornery and she was always laughing.   Even after dementia set in, little pieces of Karen would always shine through.

She loved sitting on her porch swing, admiring her flowers and the hummingbirds who always seemed to find her wherever she went. There was always a puzzle scattered on the dining room table, a deck of cards close by, and the Hallmark Channel playing in the background.

Although Karen was a wonderful daughter, a loving wife and a giving mother; she was the epitome of an incredible grandmother. You never left Grandma’s house hungry or empty-handed. Goodbyes took every bit of two hours, and she would not only follow you all the way out to your car but she would be sure to not stop waving until you were no longer in sight. She didn’t just tell you that she loved you, she showed you by her actions. Because of her, all her grandchildren have a shared love of Cardinal’s baseball, Mexican restaurants, and family recipes passed down from generation to generation.

She will be missed immensely but we are at peace knowing she is reunited with her parents, June and her son Bradley who left this Earth far too soon.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Debbie (William) Potter of Knoxville, Tenn., Harold (Julie) Kellerman III of Ellisville, Mo., and Lynn Kellerman of Marissa; daughter-in-law Missy (Matt) Stines of Red Bud; sister Joan Brainerd; grandchildren Brian Potter, Brittney Potter, Sarah Roscow, Zachary (Nicole) Kellerman-Stines, Caleb (Brittney) Kellerman-Stines, Megan (Craig) Crafton,  Emma Krueger and Rachel (Zac) Rieke; great-grandchildren Luke, Logan, Liam, Frankie and Landon Roscow, Carver, Beau and Blayne Kellerman-Stines, Cali and Paxton Hoffman, Ezrah and Darci Stines, Hadalee Crafton, Riley Braun and Wyatt and Haylie Rieke; many Nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special caretakers at Garden Place.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son Bradley Kellerman; brother Robert Berry; and sister Naomi Krypciak.

Visitation is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 at Pechacek Funeral Homes, Red Bud.

A funeral service will follow at the funeral home.

Interment will be at St. Marcus Cemetery, Red Bud.

In lieu of flowers, take someone you love on a breakfast date. Order a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream.  That would make Miss Karen’s heart happy. Monetary donation may also be made to Garden Place.