I am trying to create a small, localized indentation on a thin, flat body.  The best way I know to describe it is like an electronics keypad, with soft buttons.  It's virtually identical to that.  It's a large flat sheet, with a small indention in a specified circular size (there will actually be 3 of them total).

I have been successful in creating something similar to what I need, using the Indent feature, by creating a 2nd body behind the sheet.  Then, use that body to create the Indent feature by (the way it's intended on being used).  However, this creates hard edges on the face, at the protrusions.  I need it to essentially "push" the existing flat face, yet keep it all the same face, just like the deform feature does.

I'm not sure if the Indent feature is even the right tool to use either, to get what I need.  But I can't figure out any other option.  I looked at the Deform tool.  But couldn't figure out how to retain the deform, within a specified area.  And the Freeform tool doesn't seem to provide any real constraints.

I'm including what I have created.  Could someone help me figure out how to get essentially the same thing, yet the bumps be part of the same flat face?

Or, is there a way to take what I have got, and combine all of the faces into 1 face, without the hard edges?