Bennie Hugh Keel

Reverend Bennie Hugh Keel, 83, of DeRidder, LA, passed from this life on December 2, 2021.

Bennie was born January 10, 1938 in DeRidder, LA to Mid and Thelma Keel. He graduated in 1958 from Rosepine High School. Bennie worked in the timber industry for a span of over 40 years. He was an ordained minister serving in numerous congregations in the area during his lifetime.

Bennie is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jo Frances Gill Keel, of DeRidder, LA; daughters, Fonda Keel Cole and Danny of Broken Arrow, OK and Kimberly Keel Warder and John of Ramona OK; grandchildren, Courtney Cole Arroyo, Trinity Warder, Caitlin Cole, Payton Warder, Caleb Cole, Keeley Warder,  and Landry Warder; brother-in-law, Dr. William “Billy” Gill and Sharon; sisters-in-law, Voylene Gill and Stella Keel, nieces; Donna Boyd Shepard, Katy Keel Lummus, Deborah Keel Brister, April Gill Gunter, Carolyn Gill-Moore, and Cathy Gill Williams; nephews: Billy Joe Keel, David Keel, Steve Keel, Bradford Keel, Dale Keel, Kenny Naquin, Lynn Ray Boyd, Mark Gates, and James “Jimmy” Gill.

Bennie is proceeded in death by his mother, Thelma Keel; father, Mid Keel; brothers, B.D. Keel, Bruce Keel, and Burt Keel; sister, Marcia Keel Kennedy; niece, Sonya Gill; brothers-in-law, James “Bo” Gill and Lloyd Kennedy; sister-in-law, Wanda Keel; father-in-law, William H. Gill; mother-in-law, Velma Gill.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA.

Brother Brandon Gill will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Steve Keel, David Keel, Ronnie Perkins, James Lummus, Dustin Lummus, and Clint Naquin. Honorary pallbearers will be Blake Lummus, Andy Shepard, and Billy Joe Keel. Burial will follow in Old Cypress Cemetery in Rosepine, LA.