Keltner, Ben

Ben Keltner, 65 year old Picher teamster, died late Saturday at Picher Oklahoma after a heat stroke induced by the day's 104 degree temperature, marking the first local death laid to the current weather. County attorney Charles Chestnut said Keltner had been drinking heavily, but Dr. A. V. Murray, who examined the body, said there was no evidence to indicate alcoholism had figured in his death. Dr. Murray gave a heat stroke as the cause of death.

Keltner was taken to Picher city jail after residents on North Connell in Picher saw him lying in the shade of a sign board. Patrolman Bill Gibson was quoted by Chestnut as saying Keltner, when found, "was the hottest person I ever got hold of." Noting that Keltner apparently had no pulse, Picher officers summoned a Durnil ambulance from Picher. The victim was dead on arrival at American hospital, Picher. Chestnut said he was told at the Durnil funeral home that Keltner's body temperature was 108 degrees after he had been dead long enough for rigor mortis to begin.

Investigating the circumstances, Chestnut said he was informed by Huron Horine that Keltner, a driver for Shell Horine, drove his team to the 500 block on North Connell avenue, Picher Oklahoma, where he left the wagon. Proceeding across the street, Keltner laid down near the home of George Patterson, who called Officers Gibson and Lon Bone.

Keltner is survived by two sons, Hubert Keltner of Treece Kansas and Ben Keltner, Jr. of Zincville Oklahoma; two daughters, Mrs. Lilian Brown and Mrs. Mary Lee of Picher; a sister, Mrs. Kate Burkett, Picher Oklahoma, and two brothers, Charles of Baxter Springs Kansas and Tobe of Bristow Oklahoma.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Durnil funeral home of Picher.

Funeral services for Ben Keltner of Treece Kansas, who died after a heat stroke Saturday, were held at 2:30 Monday afternoon at the Assembly of God church at Treece Kansas, the Rev. Arthur Shawgo officiating. Burial was in Greenlawn cemetery in Cherokee County Kansas, northwest of Treece Kansas, under the direction of the Durnil funeral home of Picher Oklahoma.