Keilers

Alois Otto Keilers of Fayetteville passed away at his home on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at the age of 90. He was born on July 14, 1934, to Otto and Lillie (Busch) Keilers in Oldenburg.

The oldest of three children, with two younger sisters, Alois learned the value of working hard growing up on a farm. After graduation from Fayetteville High School in 1952, he went to work in San Antonio for a brief period, followed by a move to Houston to train as a machinist.

On Aug. 1, 1954, he married Sydonia Kaspar at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville.

Alois and Sydonia had seven children. This compelled him to take on as many as three jobs at one time. He deeply valued family and cherished the life he had with his wife and their children.

After several years as a machinist and shop foreman, he ventured out and started his own business, National Flange & Fitting Co. in 1971 in Houston. The company grew into a successful family business that remains in operation today.

Alois never lost his love for the family farm, and in 1972, after living eight years in Katy, he and his wife returned to Fayetteville to raise their children, balancing the time between Fayetteville and Houston. He passionately managed National Flange along with other ventures, including cattle ranching and establishing Keilers Restaurant and Lodge in 1979 on the Fayetteville square. The restaurant, in service for 31 years, was famous for its fried fish.

After the death of his wife in 1988, Alois moved back to Houston continuing to run his business for several years. Eventually he returned to Fayetteville, where he cherished his final years in the place he loved most. In his later years, he maintained that he never truly retired. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed collecting and restoring classic cars and tractors, often driving them in the Lickskillet parade in Fayetteville, where he won his final award this past October. He loved family gatherings, always hosting Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and birthdays for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. As the years passed, these family gatherings grew, bringing together all the generations of his family.

Alois was a member of St. John Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville, Hermann Sons, and served on the Fayetteville ISD School Board and Fayetteville Bank Board for several years.

He is survived by his children, Arlis Keilers and wife Paulette of Fayetteville, Anthony Keilers and wife Nina of Oldenburg, Andrew Keilers and wife Theresa of Fayetteville, Armin Keilers and wife Regina of Oldenburg, Audrey Zbranek of Houston, Arlin Keilers and wife Pam of La Grange, and Anne Welfel and husband Curtis of Oldenburg; one sister, Alice Schmitt and husband Earl of Fayetteville; 20 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 3 step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sister, Aurleen (Keilers) Kaspar, parents-in-law, Joe and Sophie (Chovanec) Kaspar, a niece and numerous nephews, brother-in laws and sister -inlaws.

Visitation was held Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville. A Holy Rosary was recited at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fayetteville, followed by the burial in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of remembrances, contributions in Alois’s memory may be made to St. John Catholic Church Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 57, Fayetteville, Tx 78940 or to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 65, Fayetteville, Tx 78940.

Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig -Belvill Funeral Home in La Grange.