Gwendolyn (Gouker) Keesling

Gwendolyn Keesling, 86, of Richmond went to the light on Thursday June 20th, 2024. She was born to Ray and Pauline Gouker in Biloxi, MS in 1938. Her family moved back to Winchester, where she began her life long, love of music, taking piano lessons for many years and winning several singing competitions. She was admired by a boy on her bus who later hit the jackpot when he got her house on his paper route. She showed little interest at first, but later fell for Gary, and after graduating from McKinley HS, married him in 1956. Children came quickly, having four in five years.

Gwen was ahead of the curve in many social causes, teaching her children to love with abandon regardless of race, religion, skin color or sexual orientation.

After discovering organic gardening and nutrition, she fed her children a steady diet of wheat germ, whole grains and brussel sprouts, hidden in meatballs and supplemented everyday with a fist full of vitamins.

She began the Self-Realization Course in the late 60’s with Paramahansa Yogananda, an Indian guru who taught the teachings of Jesus with an eastern influence. It took her six years to complete.

In 1973 she learned TM, (transcendental meditation), which she practiced daily throughout her life. She was a member of Advanced Research and Spiritual Enlightenment to enhance her meditation practice, followed by A Course In Miracles at IU East that required two years of weekly classes and hours of intense study. She participated in numerous other courses and workshops.

She was a voracious reader, never without books and read several a week. As Music Director at the Methodist Church for 15 years, Gwen relished the spiritual journey she expressed with music. She also wrote music and performed locally with her beloved Faith Trio.

In 1984, she studied at the Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics, and opened her practice in 1986. When Gwen retired 18 years later, she had helped over 3,000 clients in a town of little over 5,000 people.

She laughed contagiously and expressed her ever abundant joy. She thought her children and grandchildren were the smartest and most hilarious beings on earth.

She leaves behind her children Gregg (Jannett) Keesling, Gerry (Donna) Keesling, Gynnie (Tom) Baker; grandchildren Oneil (Christina) Keesling, Tiana (Glenn) Johnson, Michael (Emily) Keesling, Liam Keesling, Sarah Baker (Danny Lubker);  great grandchildren Sylus (Maria) Keesling, Amaya Keesling, Ariyana Johnson, Chancellor Johnson, Zhania Johnson, Addy Keesling, Brody Keesling; brother Charles Gouker, sisters Susie (Maurice) Northam, Darlene Dingess and many extended family and friends. She is proceeded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Gary Keesling, son Geoff Keesling, grandson Chancellor Keesling, brother Phil Gouker and her parents

Celebration of life will be July 1st at Walker Funeral Home in Winchester, Indiana 11am-1pm. Service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Max and Dianne Jones Music Lesson Scholarship Fund, online or envelopes will be provided at celebration.

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