The Reverend Frank Lavaughn Keisler died on May 8th, 2026. He was the first child of Frank Lever and Geneva Fraley Keisler of Lexington, South Carolina. His parents had him baptized the day of his birth, February 7, 1930. Those promises made and received remained with him until life’s end.
Visitation will be held at Barr-Price Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 from 5 pm to 7 pm. Funeral Services will be held at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, 1000 B Avenue, West Columbia SC on Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at 2 pm with the Rev. Wade Roof and Rev. Rus Stilwell officiating. Burial will follow the service at Mount Lebanon Historic Cemetery, Cameron South Carolina. Serving as pallbearers will be Bayne Haigler, Wally Haigler, Mike Haigler, Ryan Haigler, Edward Shuler, Eddie Foust, Daniel Bundrick and Rodney Stone. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Smith, David Bedenbaugh and the Mt. Tabor Early Risers Breakfast group.
Pastor Keisler loved his churches and members. Newberry College was especially supportive of him. He began college with pocket change and completed his college and Seminary education with only a $400.00 debt. After graduating from Newberry College he continued his education at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. He was ordained in 1954 and began his ministry as a mission developer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
He continued his parish ministry at Bethlehem-St. John’s Parish, Irmo, SC; St. Luke’s Monroe, NC; Pilgrim, Lexington, SC; St. Paul’s Hamlet, NC; Mt Hebron and Union, Leesville SC. Following his retirement, he served 10 appointments as an interim pastor and visitation pastor for Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church. He enjoyed both fishing and gardening and always shared with his neighbors and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Elizabeth Haigler Keisler; his sons, Frank Keisler (Stacey) and Kerry Keisler; his granddaughters, Dr. Caroline Snuffer (Daniel), Rebecca and Meredith Keisler and great grandchildren, Haden and Dahlia Snuffer. He is also survived by his sisters, Miriam Riley, Margaret Taylor and Sara Bundrick; and his brother-in-law, Joe C. Haigler (Elaine), along with a number of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Charles and Efrid Keisler and his brothers-in-law, Bobby Taylor, John Bundrick, Edd Riley, and Sonny Haigler (Mary Sue). He loved and treasured all of his family.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church or Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary – Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, NC.
