Selz, Jean W. (Keith) (1909-2006)

SELZ, KEITH, BUDDO, GARZA, BROWN, BARRERA, SKURKA, WETZEL, STEBERL, SMEAD

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 3/17/2007 at 12:43:27

Fairfield Ledger
Mon., July 3, 2006, p. 8.

Jean SELZ, formerly of Fairfield, died Friday, June 30, 2006, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Arrangements for a funeral to be held in Fairfield are pending.
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Fairfield Ledger
Fri., July 7, 2006, p. 10.

Jean W. (KEITH) SELZ died Friday, June 30, 2006, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Mrs. SELZ was born June 5, 1909, to Robert and Betsy (BUDDO) KEITH in St. Andrews, Scotland. At age two, she and her family emigrated from Scotland, first to Chicago and later to Dayton, Ohio. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in Dayton, Ohio, and from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, she married Paul B. SELZ on October 29, 1931. Their early married life revolved around the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Warren, Pennsylvania, where Mr. SELZ was Director of Religious Education, and where two daughters were born. Mr. SELZ’S appointment to the Parsons College faculty prompted the family’s move to Fairfield in 1942.

Active in Wit and Wisdom Club, Fairfield Women’s Club, Jefferson County Hospital Auxiliary, P.E.O., P.T.A., bridge clubs, and various other community activities, Mrs. SELZ was a long-term member of First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, serving as elder and holding offices in the Presbyterian Women’s organization. She taught English and history at Birmingham High School.

For many years Mrs. SELZ enjoyed reading and was an accomplished book reviewer. She also enjoyed travel, crocheting, golf, bridge, gardening, and entertaining friends and Parsons College faculty and students. She wrote humorous poetry and stories. In the 1990s, she and Mr. SELZ collaborated on the history of the 150 years of First Presbyterian Church and on the history of the Wit and Wisdom Club.

Mr. and Mrs. SELZ celebrated their 60th anniversary with a Panama Canal cruise, along with daughter Shirley, son-in-law Luis GARZA, Jr., and friends, Philip (Tib) and Vera Young. Over the years, they enjoyed trips throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Egypt. They lived in Cairo, Egypt, in 1961-62 when Mr. SELZ taught at the American University of Cairo. Family vacations included travels to Hawaii, Alaska, numerous additional states, and Canada.

After 63 years in Fairfield, Mrs. SELZ moved to Corpus Christi in March 2005 to be near family. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Margaret, and husband Paul (1994). Survivors include daughters Martha J. BROWN of Tulsa, OK; Shirley SELZ GARZA (Luis GARZA, Jr.) of Corpus Christi, TX; step-grandchildren Zita GARZA SKURKA (Mark), Luis Joel GARZA (Sara Rebecca), Alonso Javier GARZA, and Drucilla GARZA BARRERA (deceased) (Manuel T. BARRERA); step great grandchildren David BARRERA, Edward BARRERA, and Samantha SKURKA; nephews Thomas C. WETZEL (Marnie), Richard D. WETZEL (Beverly); nieces Barbara WETZEL, Sue Ann STEBERL (Don), and Kathy SMEAD (John); and numerous cousins in the United States, Canada, and Scotland.

Visitation will be Monday July 10, at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Behner Funeral Home, 203 S. Main Street in Fairfield. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Main Street in Fairfield, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to First Presbyterian Church or to Carnegie Historical Museum, c/o Gene Luedtke, P.O. Box 502, Fairfield, IA 52556.
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Printed with permission of the Fairfield Ledger.
This data transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the subject.