Age 74 of South Webster, died Friday, February 19, 2016 in Portsmouth.  He was born August 29, 1941 in Homestead, PA to the late Melvin and Grace (Orris) Keslar.

Ed is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rhonda and sons Evan (Rita) of Wheelersburg and Dustin (Heather) of Sciotoville; one brother, Richard (Julie) of Canton, OH; and his beloved grandchildren, Sidney, Max, Karis, and Ilias - and one more on the way.

Ed graduated from McKeesport High School in McKeesport, PA and Morehead State University.  After hitchhiking from Morehead to Wheelersburg and having an interview at Pop's Place, he got his first band directing job at South Webster.  In 1964 he started that first year with 44 students and retired in 1994 with an award-winning band of 125.  He worked for the 2000 – 2006 period as the band director of Oak Hill where he enjoyed working with the football band.  His many students will remember all the Myrtle Beach trips, Miss Ohio Pageants, Kennywood Park, and much more.

Along with music, Ed enjoyed sports, especially baseball and softball.  He coached softball at South Webster for many years and is still the current assistant at Oak Hill.  He felt it very important to be a part of the community and spent many years coaching little league. The fields were even named for him for many years.  He was also a licensed umpire, working high school games, little league, and Del Rice League.  Being from the Pittsburgh area he was an avid Steelers fan and loved to rub it in about how many Super Bowl rings they have.

Ed accepted Christ as his Savior in 1971 and is a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Oak Hill.  He has directed the choir and played his trombone for the Lord for many years.  He never met a stranger and was always looking for someone to listen to all his stories, of which he had many.  He believed you should have a good time doing everything and if you couldn't have fun then it wasn't worth doing.  He had many sayings such as "Good, bad, or rotten, just play it loud!", "Don't let the doorknob hit you on the way out.", and many more.  He loved playing golf, watching the Steelers, John Wayne movies, going to his grandkids' soccer, T-ball, and softball games.  Papaw was always there to cheer them on.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2016 at Liberty Baptist Church in Oak Hill with Jim Shoemate officiating.  Interment will follow at South Webster Cemetery.  Friends may call at D.W. SWICK-NELSON FUNERAL HOME in South Webster from 3 – 9 on Sunday and 12 – 2 prior to the service at the church.  Online condolences may be left at www.DWSwickNelsonFuneralHome.com  Bloom-Vernon School is handling memorial gifts to assist with funeral expenses, attention Sandy Smith.