Charles D. “Birdie” Keefer, Sr., 85, of Birds Hill Rd., Pine Grove, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at home.
Born on July 12, 1934 in Pine Grove, he was a son of the late Charles and Sarah Barr Keefer.
He was a 1952 graduate of Pine Grove High School and a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Pine Grove.
He was in the Navy serving during the Korean War.
Charles was a maintenance worker and electrician at Guilford Mills from 1952 until 1997.
He was Past President and lifetime member of North End Fire Co., manager of the North End Fire Co. Softball team, Past President of Little Dutchman Midget Football, member of Never Inn Hunting Club, and Pine Grove Jaycees. He was instrumental in bringing Kauffman’s Bar B-Q chicken to the area for fundraising and making subs for fundraisers.
He was a die hard Phillies and Eagles fan.
Charles was never one to mince his words. He told you what was on his mind. He truly loved his granddaughters and great grandsons. He will be missed by many who had the opportunity to know him.
Preceding him in death were a daughter Marie; two grandchildren, Jennifer and Jessica Keefer; a brother Ralph “Ronnie” Keefer; and a sister Dorothy Bretz.
Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Bessie Ney Keefer; a daughter, Tina Keefer of Pine Grove; two sons, Charles Jr. and wife Deb Keefer of Pine Grove, Brian Keefer and companion Karen Leymeister of Schuylkill Haven; five granddaughters, Renee and husband Matthew Huff, Katie Keefer, both of Pine Grove, Jena and husband Craig Tarson of Frackville, Alyson and Liz Tooher of Philadelphia; seven great grandsons, Osric Smith, Dryden, Caius and Gideon Huff, Eli Keefer, Alek Davis, Maddox Tarson; a brother Robert Keefer of Parker, CO; several nieces and nephews.
All Services will be held at a later date. Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer contributions be made to either St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 312 S. Tulpehocken St., Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 or the Pinegrove Historical Society, specify for the Stanhope School, P.O. Box 65 Pine Grove, Pa. 17963 in his memory.
The H. L. Snyder Funeral Home, Inc, Pine Grove is in charge of arrangements and you may send condolences online at www.hlsnyderfuneralhome.com.
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