Keith Biler, 80

Keith L. Biler, 80 years, of Bryan, passed away Saturday, October 25, 2014 at Fountain Park, where he had been a resident.  Keith was born December 26, 1933 in Holgate, Ohio, the son of the late Melvin and Hallie (Weber) Biler.  Keith was a 1951 graduate of Holgate High School.  He graduated from Bowling Green State University in January of 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Degree.  He then received his Master of Music Education from the University of Michigan in the summer of 1968.  He married Marlene E. “Pat” Mack on December 28, 1963 in Bryan, Ohio and she preceded him in death on April 8, 2011.  Keith was a music teacher for several schools of Northwest Ohio during his career.  He directed bands and choruses at Jackson Township Schools in Wood County for three years and Hicksville Exempted Village Schools for three years.  He directed bands at Toledo Woodward High School for 10 years and bands at Rossford Schools for 15 years.  Many of his students and groups won high ratings in the OMEA annual music contests.  Keith retired in 1987.  He was an Assistant Conductor of the Toledo Youth Orchestra for 10 years.  He was a member of the Toledo Symphonic Orchestra for several seasons and truly enjoyed playing with the Toledo Concert Band for seven seasons at the free summer concerts at The Toledo Zoo.  He was a member of many professional organizations including the Ohio Music Education Association of which he was District 1 President for one term, American School Band Directors Association, a National Honorary Fraternity and Phi Beta Mu (National Band Master Fraternity) to name a few. Keith enjoyed working with high-school aged students and often said he couldn’t wait to start each day.  He touched many lives in a very positive way through his love of music.  He had many outside interest which included following the Michigan Wolverine athletic teams.

Preceded in death by his parents, his wife Pat and two brothers, Norman and Joel Biler, he is survived by his sisters-in-law, Erma Biler of Holgate, Dee Mack of Defiance;  brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Phyllis) Mack of Bryan and Lee (Nancy) Mack of Defiance; nephews, Tim (Melinda) Biler of West Jefferson, Ohio, and children, Ashley (Anthony) Skinner and family and Nichol Biler; Ron  (Sarah) Mack of Bloomington, Illinois and children, Shawn (Jennifer) Lane and Jessica (Jesse) Perganson and family; Craig (Theresa) Andrews of Sylvania and children, Shaun (Nancy) Andrews and family, Chrissy (Ron) Stacy and family; Tony Mack of Lansing, Michigan; Terry (Rachelle) McDonald of Defiance and children, Madison, Caroline and Katherine; nieces, Susan  (Alan) Walker of Auburn, Alabama and children, John Ehrhart, Jackson and Matthew; Holly (John) Doseck of Bryan and daughter, Emily; Pam (Ron) Laux of Fort Wayne, Indiana and children, Meghan (Matt) Andrews and family, Colin Laux and family; Deborah (Cleve) Johnson of Columbus, Ohio; Christy (Steve) Lefere of Jackson, Michigan and children, Robby and Timmy Lefere.

To honor Keith’s request his body will be cremated and graveside funeral services

will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 1, 2014 in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan.  Immediately following graveside services, a Celebration of Life will be held at Jackie Blu’s Restaurant.  Funeral arrangements are under the care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 North Lynn Street, Bryan.