Russell Lee Keeling was born to Edna and Willard Keeling in Albuquerque NM on February 5, 1942 while Willard (Bill) was stationed in the Army Air Corps during WW II. The family moved to Waco TX at the end of the war. 

Russ attended Texas A&M and became a Group Commander in the Corps of Cadets during his last year of school. 

From A&M he went directly into the United States Air Force and completed pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock Texas, graduating first in his class. 

As a veteran of the SE Asian Conflict, and during his twenty-two-year career he earned four Distinguished Flying Cross Medals, the Airman’s Medal (for life-saving), two Meritorious Service Medals, Seventeen Combat Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Readiness Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and other notable recognitions. 

After retiring from Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA in 1986, Russ returned to Redlands. He was a devoted member of Redlands First United Methodist Church and sang in the Sanctuary Choir for over 30 years and served on many different committees. Russ joined the Inland Master Chorale in 1987 and continued to sing with the Chorale until recently. 

Russ was an avid racquetball player, enjoyed gardening, traveling, and especially loved playing with his grandchildren. Russ is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lloy Keeling, children Kathleen Keeling of Portland OR, Gregory Lee (Susan) and granddaughters Christina and Annalisa of Newport Beach, Michelle Reynolds of Portland OR, and brother Bob Keeling of San Angelo TX, and several cousins living in Texas. 

A Memorial Service with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, September 11 at 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church of Redlands (One E Olive Ave). 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Redlands First United Methodist Church Foundation (One East Olive Avenue, Redlands CA 923733) or the Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation: 23101 S Tamiami Trl., Ste. 320, PMB 226, Estero FL 33928. 

Read about Russell’s life as featured in the February 2020 issue of The Town Crier

And see more pictures of Russ Keeling.

Ann Hayes, 78, of Waco, passed away on September 2, 2021, surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  The visitation will be Friday, September 10, 2021, from 10-11 am, with services beginning at 11 am at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Mingo Balderas & Minister Bert Mercer officiating.

On September 25, 1942, Ann Pierce was born in Waco, Texas, to Cazzie and Marie Pierce.  She was a lifelong resident of Waco and was an avid piano player and singer.  Ann loved singing in her church and school choirs until she graduated from Waco High School in 1960.

Ann married the love of her life, Grant Hayes, in May 1959. She filled her life with service to her natural family and her church family, continuing to lend her beautiful voice to both.  While raising her family, Ann worked for Wm. Cameron and Steakley Bros. Chevrolet. She also spent several years on the cafeteria staff at Speegleville Elementary School.  Ann would finally work for their family business, Southwest Telecom, until her retirement in 2005 due to her initial bout with cancer.  Above all, she dedicated her entire adult life to the love and support of her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  Her greatest love was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and she was a faithful member of Brookview Church of Christ until her death.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her son Scott Hayes, son-in-law Sam Marsh, and her great-grandson Christian Robinson.  Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Grant Hayes, her children David Hayes and his wife Christie, Shirley Hayes Marsh, Eric Hayes and his wife Inez, 11 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Baylor Scott & White – Hillcrest hospice staff for their incredibly loving care and compassion.

Carole Ann (Fisher) Clingman, born February 10, 1942 in Waco, Texas was called home August 11, 2021, in Billings, MT. As the third child to Hugh Homer and Grace Lee Fisher, Carole left this world much like she entered – small in stature, but mighty in spirit.

Carole met and married her husband of eighteen years, Rodger Clingman, while Rodger was attending Baylor University. They soon took up permanent residency in Montana, Rodger’s native home where they raised their two children, John and Cindy. Carole was a southern girl at heart who hated the Montana winters, but chose to stay for the love of her family.

For over thirty years, Carole worked in the oil and gas industry. She was a dedicated, hard worker who loved the industry, her job and her co-workers. She will likely be remembered for her professionalism, her sense of style and sense of humor.

Carole fiercely loved her family, especially her grandsons, James, Niklas and Karson. She was proud to be present at each of their births and is now in Heaven singing and dancing with her granddaughter Callie Ann.

Carole was deeply compassionate, dearly loved the Lord and her family. Her family will remember her for her great cooking, her ability to make even the simplest things special, her style, her ability to laugh at herself, and her loudly cheering her grandsons on from the sidelines of their music and sporting events.

Carole is preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and her beloved brothers Jimmy and Mike; and granddaughter Callie Ann. Carol is survived by son John; and ex-husband, Rodger Clingman, both of Bozeman; daughter Cindy (Kris) Nordstog of Billings; her sister Barbara Wilks of Waco, Texas; sister-in-law, Sharon Fisher of Mansfield, Texas; grandsons James Clingman of Greenville, Pennsylvania, Niklas and Karson Nordstog of Billings, MT; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at Heights Family Funeral Home. Her urn will be interred at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Carole’s name to the Moss Mansion where Carole volunteered her time and Toys for Tots.

Here’s a picture from October 6, 2000 (left to right: Ralph Hill, Susan Harkness Hill, Carole Fisher Clingman)