Max Patten Keele
1928 – 2023
Max Patten Keele graduated from his mortal calling on September 8, 2023. He was born on August 1, 1928 in Lovell, WY to Frank Keele and Joanna Patten. He married Hanna Adamson on December 24, 1949 in Elko, NV. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple.
Max was an avid golfer, bowler, billiards player, and fisherman. He and Hanna loved camping and fishing, especially in the Escalante, UT area. They traveled a lot pulling their fifth-wheel and even made one trip to Alaska that was 8000 miles and took 5 weeks.
Max loved music! His tenor voice was powerful and beautiful. In high school, he played the trombone. He took every musical class he could take. In later years, he was an active member of the Utah Valley Opera, performing in many productions. His favorite was LaTraviata.
Throughout his life he sang in many quartets, choirs, ward choirs and barbershop quartets. And, the man could whistle! He will be remembered by many for his whistling.
On March 3, 1947, he applied at Geneva Steel where he was hired to work in the Metallurgical Physical Testing department. In February 1948, during a shutdown of the plant due to a coal shortage, Max and a friend joined the Army and found themselves in Ford Ord, CA. After training as a clerk in Fort Lee, VA, he was transferred to Stuttgart Germany, where he spent 13 months driving trucks in a policing unit. He returned home early with an honorable discharge to help take care of his ailing parents.
After the military, he returned to Geneva Steel where he met Hanna. After dating for a while, they eloped to Elko, NV and returned to work two days later (the day after Christmas).
Max retired from U.S. Steel at the age of 55 with 37 years of service. He was a Melter Foreman in the Open Hearth at the time.
Later in life, Max and Hanna worked in the Mt. Timpanogos temple until Hanna’s illness led to their release. After Hanna’s passing, Max worked in the Provo UT temple until his health declined.
Max never met anyone with whom he wouldn’t stop and talk. At the grocery store, golf course, church, assisted living center, and anywhere there were people, he would find someone with whom to talk. We will miss his stories and kind conversations.
Max is survived by his children, Michell Hardman, Orem, UT, Max E Keele, Eugene, OR, Tracy J (Laurie) Keele, Mayfield UT, Mark A (Julie) Keele, Spanish Fork, UT; 10 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren (with 3 more due soon) and his special friend Monta Rae Jeppeson.
He was preceded in death by his beloved spouse, Hanna Keele, his parents, 9 siblings, a daughter-in-law (Ruth Keele) whom he adored, and one great-great grandson.
Funeral Services will be held at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 E. 800 N, Orem, UT on September 21, 2023 at 11:00 am with a viewing prior from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
Burial will be directly after the funeral at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bluffdale, UT with full military honors. A luncheon for family members will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 50 South 800 East in Orem.