Norman Dean Keltner, 80, of Kansas City, Kansas passed away Wednesday July 28, 2010 at home surrounded by his family.  Norman was born November 16, 1929 the youngest child of John Henry and Ida Elizabeth Keltner. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and two sisters.

Norman graduated from Wyandotte High School in the class of 1949. In 1950 he married the love of his life, Marybelle Evans. As a young man he went to work at the Santa Fe Railway Co. where he was a Carman for 40 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Wyandotte Masonic Lodge #3 for 60 years. Norman was a member of Victory Hills Baptist Church, where he was Chairman of the Board of Deacons, a fixture in the church choir for 45 years and was always there to help whenever there was a need. He served as Scoutmaster for V.H.B.C. Troop 302. Norman devoted over 30 years of his life to the Boy Scouts of America. He served in several positions including Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, and was a proud Vigil Honor member of Tamegonit Lodge #147 of the Order of the Arrow, the national honor camping program for Scouts. Norman also volunteered at the U.M.K.C. Marr Sound Archives and at the children’s Kaleidoscope at Crown Center.

Norman’s love of music was demonstrated by his beautiful tenor voice as well as his collection of 78 RPM records. He was a devoted family man and found great joy in the accomplishments of his family always encouraging them to “Do Your Best.”  His family game nights were a joy for all the generations. He had a reverent love for the outdoors and camped with his son and grandson’s Scout Troop well into his 70’s. He particularly loved movies and his favorite was “The Wizard of Oz.”

Norman is survived by his wife, of the home, three sons, Steve Keltner (Tara), of Pettigrew, AR, Tim Keltner (Tauna), of Overland Park, KS and Dan Keltner (Theresa) of Kansas City, MO, and a daughter, Clare Billaci (John) of Kansas City, KS. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Victory Hills Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, on Friday July 30, 2010, with visitation from 4 – 7 pm and the service to follow at 7 pm.  Interment will take place at Chapel Hill Cemetery at 12 pm on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

 In memory of Norman, the family suggests donations to Victory Hills Baptist Church, 2010 N. 66th Terrace, K.C.,KS, 66104, or Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care, 10100 W. 87th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS, 66212.