Noel John Keller

Noel J. Keller, 88, died Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Long Beach, California. He was born the youngest of 8 children on December 17, 1936 to Otto, a Lutheran minister, and Dora (Hornbostel) Keller in Miami County, Kansas.

Determined, adventurous, and curious by nature, Noel’s early life was marked by an event that would characterize the next forty years of his life. At the age of 11 he moved with his parents to Hodgeman County, Kansas, where he met the girl who would become his wife, Marjorie Drach. Little did the preacher’s son and farmer’s daughter know at that time they would travel the country and the world together.

Noel attended Dodge City High School (1954), and Hays State University (1958). Upon graduating he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He and Marjorie married and promptly made the first of many moves together for his first assignment in Quantico, Virginia, then to Pensacola, Florida, where their first daughter was born. In 1960, Noel was transferred to California and received his Regular Commission in 1961 while stationed at Marine Air Facility Santa Ana (MCAS Tustin). He and Marge settled in Tustin, the place they would know as home for the rest of their lives, expanding their family with a second daughter and twin sons.

Military duties took Noel to Vietnam multiple times as well as Virginia, Mississippi, Rhode Island and Japan. He served multiple tours of duty with Marine helicopter squadrons in Vietnam flying combat & medevac missions. Later at MCAS Tustin he served as Commanding Officer of helicopter squadrons HMT-301 & HMM-161 as well as S-4 & Executive Officer of the Air Station.

Other duty assignments included terms at the Naval War College in Rhode Island, jet flight instructor at NAS Meridian, Mississippi, Special Services Officer at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan and Commanding Officer of MAG-36 in Okinawa. He finished his career at MCAS El Toro, serving as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4 and Model Installation Manager, winning the Model Installation Award for the Air Station twice before retiring in Tustin in 1987. Upon retirement, Noel was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in his final position with the Marine Corps.

Noel loved flying and did so during his off-duty hours when possible, logging flight time in small private planes through flying club memberships and into the silent flight of gliders and sailplanes. In 1987, however, a sailplane accident resulting in spinal injuries just two months after his retirement brought his piloting years to an end. Never one to give up, Noel used wheelchairs, crutches, and canes (some of which he made himself) to get back on his feet. He exchanged propellers for wheels and enjoyed years of traveling on lengthy road trips to explore the country and visit family and friends. He also became a well-known figure to Tustinites, who may have seen him pedaling his recumbent tricycle, decked out with a “Twirly” made in his home woodshop and a straw hat glued to his helmet–he was hard to miss. He put a total of over 30,000 miles on two different tricycles, traveling around the country with both.

Noel was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church, joining the congregation in 1960, and in his years in Tustin sang in the choirs and served on many boards, including time as Head Elder and President of the Congregation.

It might be said that Noel never met a stranger, but his family and friends will miss his phone calls, text messages and visits. Noel is survived by his daughter, Traci (Mike) Eberle, sons, Duane Keller, Kevin (Julie) Keller and son-in-law, Philip Pelzman; six grandchildren, Brian Eberle, Scott (Kelsi) Eberle, Charles Pelzman, Avery (Chelsey) Pelzman, Luke Keller, Molly Keller and 1 great granddaughter, Rory Pelzman, as well as his brother-in law, Norman (Vinita) Drach, many nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, daughter, Brenda Pelzman, his parents, siblings and their spouses.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26 at 10:30 am at Peace Lutheran Church, 18542 Vanderlip Ave, North Tustin CA 92705 with reception following. The family suggests memorials be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Noel’s name.