He was born March 15, 1949 in Tiffin to Joseph J. and Marie C. (Elchert) Keefe. He married Carol R. Niese July 6, 1974, and she died December 30, 2012.
Survivors include a son, Matthew (Rae) Keefe of Tiffin; two daughters, Angela Fiore of Columbus, Michelle (Chad) Collins of Tiffin; three grandchildren, Emma, Luke, and Oliver; four brothers, Laverne (Janet) Keefe of Tiffin, David (Alice) Keefe of New Riegel, Marvin (Theresa) Keefe and Duane (Deborah) Keefe both of Tiffin; two sisters, Patricia (Hank) Elchert of New Riegel and Theresa (Richard) Best of Tiffin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a brother, Francis Keefe.
He graduated from Calvert High School in 1967. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 as a Spec. 5 Combat Medic. He worked at General Electric Co and Ex-Cell Wire, before retiring from Wal-Mart after more than 15 years. He was the recipient of the two Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and the VFW Post #2858 of Tiffin. He loved the outdoors and being with his grandchildren. He was an avid card player and loved to make people smile by telling jokes. He loved his family and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be 2 - 4 and 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2015, at the Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883 (419) 447-3113. A wake service will be at 1:30 p.m. followed by the United Veteran's Council of Seneca County military service at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Prayers will be said at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the funeral home followed by the Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, officiated by Rev. Gary Walters. The rosary will be recited 20 minutes prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contribution may be made to the Tiffin Right to Life or Calvert Catholic Schools in care of the funeral home.
To send condolences, directions to the funeral home, church or to view the Celebration of Life video, go to: www.traunerofuneralhome.com