Dates
Lillian Kathryn McKeel Zeitler passed away on March 23, 2024, in San Angelo, Texas. She was 91 years old.
Kathy was born November 26, 1932, at the family home in Lightning Ridge, Oklahoma to Winfred and Maybell (Coffee) McKeel. She grew up in Pampa, Notrees and Odessa, Texas and graduated from Odessa High School in 1951. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education and her master’s degree in counseling from Sul Ross State College in Alpine, Texas. Kathy married her best friend and love of her life, Billy Gene Zeitler on December 29, 1953. They celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage together before his passing in 2019.
Kathy was a lifelong educator of 25 years and loved serving her students. She started her career at Imperial ISD and taught in Fort Davis ISD and Midland ISD. After relocating to Midland, Texas to raise their family, she and Bill were members of Northside Baptist Church and Crestview Baptist Church where they actively served. Kathy was a member of Southland Baptist Church, Texas Retired Teachers, Midland Lioness Club, and XYZ of Crestview Baptist Church. Her hobbies included crocheting, ceramics, cross-stitching, reading, puzzles, fishing, traveling and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed her life as a Christian, wife, mother, and especially being “Nanny” to her 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Zeitler, her parents, great-grandson, Layton Stone, brother-in-law John Sharp, and sisters-in-law, Delores Sharp and Freda McKeel.
Among those that will be eager to see her one day in heaven include her children Gary Zeitler and wife Patricia of Jacksboro; daughter Karen Steed of San Angelo; grandchildren Kelli (Zeitler) Stone and husband Micheal of Odessa; Elya (Steed) Whitten and husband John of Abilene; Zachary Zeitler and wife Cassie of Jacksboro; Caleb Steed and wife Julie of Hutto; Joshua Steed of Abilene; Hannah (Steed) Guharajan and husband Deepan of Seattle, Washington; Joanna Steed of San Antonio and her precious great-grandchildren Aubrey, Zoey, Samuel, Sara, Zaley, Lincoln, Savannah, Elijah, Lyndon, Simon, and Gracelyn. She is also survived by brothers, WJ McKeel of New York and Richard McKeel of Odessa, numerous special family members and cherished friends.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Cindy Trammell for her love, care and support, as well as the staff and residents of Brayden Park and the staff of Gentiva Hospice.
Visitation will be held from 5:30-7:00 PM on Wednesday, March 27 at Harper Funeral Home in San Angelo. A celebration of her life will be held on March 28 at 10:00 AM at Harper Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 1:00pm in Abilene, Texas at the Veterans Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kathy’s grandsons: Michael Stone, John Whitten, Zachary Zeitler, Caleb Steed, Joshua Steed and Deepan Guharajan.
If so desired, memorials may be given to: Southland Baptist Church Water for All, Gentiva Hospice, or Cook Childrens’ Hospital of Fort Worth, Texas.