George S. Keller

George S. Keller, 91, a veteran Berrien Country trial lawyer died September 3, 2002. Attorney Keller was a long time resident of the City of St. Joseph. Funeral services will be held at Temple B’nai Shalom, 2050 Broadway, Benton Harbor, at 2:00pm Thursday. A memorial fund at Temple B’nai Shalom has been set up by the family to honor Atty Keller’s memory. Funeral services entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. We invite you to send a condolence message to the family guestbook at www.starks-menchinger.com Attorney Keller was born February 25, 1911 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate. After admission to the University of Michigan Law School he met and fell in love with his wife Rachel from Niles. He then moved to Niles and commuted to the University of Notre Dame Law School where he graduated with distinction and served on the Notre Dame Law Review. Attorney Keller started his law practice in Niles, Michigan, and eventually moved to St. Joseph where he practiced law with his son for many years. Attorney Keller became a nationally recognized and respected litigator. During his lifetime he tried cases throughout the State of Michigan and across America. He lectured and coached young trial lawyers, and served as a past president of the Berrien County Bar Association. One of the most important cases he brought to the Michigan Supreme Court was Wycko vs. Gnodtke, which is now widely followed throughout this country. The case of Wycko held that a negligent motorist is responsible for loss of society and companionship. Before Wycko a careless motorist was only liable for the value of a child’s services less the parents’ cost of raising the child. Attorney Keller helped change the law so that family members are now compensated for their full tragedy. The following excerpt from Attorney Keller’s book “A View From The Top” best sums up his commitment and devotion to his practice of law: “I frequently was asked, as other attorneys had often done, to talk to high school students about law as a profession. A priceless heritage of our democratic society is the right to an open trial. I told the students and I meant every word of it, there was no more thrilling experience than to be able to throw open the doors of the Courtroom and there defend and advance the rights and the cause of action of an individual. Jury duty must be regarded a privilege to serve and participate in the democratic way of life. The jury members must feel confidence in the integrity of the lawyer, representing his client, or they cannot relate well to the client’s cause. I told them the most satisfying aspect of the career of a trial lawyer was the satisfaction of standing and helping someone in a crisis. The supreme thrill was to wrestle with the law insofar as it was archaic and ill-served society, and to participate in making law a better vehicle to serve mankind in the modern world. I pointed out there were many areas in tort negligence law where ancient legal precedents were impediments to the attainment of full justice today. The ideal of striving on principle to make the law mirror the needs of present day society and serve its needs should be a stimulating motivation encouraging students to study law. The students reacted affirmatively. A few of them later told me they were inspired to enter the profession.” Attorney Keller supported the continuous improvement in his local community. He was an active member of the Berrien County Bar, Rotary and the St. Joseph Downtown Development Authority. In the late 1970’s, He recognized the community value of a vibrant downtown business district and subsequently led efforts for the re-development and beautification of downtown St. Joseph. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, George Keller leaves behind his wife Rachel, sons Jack and Jerry, eight grandchildren and ten great grand children.