Kenneth Gene Keefer

Kenneth Gene Keefer, 91, of Palmyra went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 22, 2024, peacefully in the comfort of his home.

Born March 5, 1933 in Palmyra, he was the youngest son of the late Jeremiah S. and Edna (Nye) Keefer and preceded in death by daughter Shirley Gene Keefer, and siblings Sherwood Keefer, Ruth Schock and Robert Keefer.

He was a 1951 graduate of Palmyra High School, where he played various sports and was the center on the 1950 champion football team. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was recently awarded the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal. In August of 1959, Ken married the love of his life, Shirley K. (Kuhn) Keefer. He was the owner of Keefer Roofing until he retired in 1995 and his son took over the family business. He was a lifetime member of the Palmyra Citizen’s Fire Company and a retired member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

As a young teen, Ken accepted Jesus Christ as his savior and used his life to spread the Lord’s love to others both at home and abroad. Most recently, he was attending Gravel Hill United Methodist Church, but over the years, he attended Grace Chapel (Elizabethtown) where he served as head usher and Christ Community Church (Camp Hill) where he was a member of the prayer team. Ken was also a field rep for Full Gospel Businessmen International. With his wife, he opened his home to many in need of a place to stay; and over the years they hosted many missionaries from around the world, many of whom consider Ken “dad.” He and Shirley started Love in Box which gathered needed items for those in need both locally and internationally.

Ken greatly enjoyed time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and in retirement he regularly shared coffee, stories, and laughs with friends at Wilhelm’s Hardware, McDonald’s and First United Methodist of Palmyra.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 65 years, Shirley; son Scott Keefer (Brenda); daughters Brenda Gualdoni (William), Sandra Ontkos, and Wendy Morrison; brother Gerald Keefer; grandchildren Jordan Keefer (Stephanie), Seth Keefer (Dana), Alyssa Eberly (Travis), Isaac Keefer, Michael Gualdoni, Joseph Gualdoni, Rachel Gualdoni and Melia Morrison; and great grandchildren Morgan Keefer, Petra Keefer, Connor Keefer, Kinsley Keefer, Jaxson Eberly, Noah Eberly and Colton Eberly.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Gravel Hill United Methodist Church, 131 Gravel Hill Road, Palmyra preceded by a visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Private interment will be in Gravel Hill Cemetery, Palmyra.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mission Bethel, 88 Freedom Trail, New Castle, DE 19720, earmarked for the Keefer Christian Academy.

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