Donald Chester Kieffer, 87, of Washington Island, Wisconsin and Hondo, Texas, passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at Ministry Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with his family by his side.
He was born on February 17, 1925 in Dixon, Illinois, the son of George and Della (Ankeny) Kieffer. Don was a 1943 graduate of Dixon High School. He served his country stateside in the United States Army during WWII. Don married Jeanne M. Smith in 1946. She preceded him in death in 1986. He owned and operated Kieffer & Co., Inc., an electric sign manufacturing business in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, until his retirement in 1985. Don and his four sons were active for many years in Boy Scout Troop 61. On November 23, 1986 he married Ruth Corfman. Don and Ruth served with the Mission Builders (ELCA) for 15 years. They were project leaders for 13 different church building projects around the country. Being involved with Mission Builders was one of Don’s greatest joys.
Don was a member of the American Legion, the Escapees RV Club, the Winnebago Travelers Club and the National Rifle Association. He will be remembered for his beautiful bass voice and was an avid singer in many groups – church choirs, the Western Way Corral, and Men of Harmony, both in Tucson, AZ, and the WIT Club Singers.
Don is survived by his wife, Ruth, of Washington Island, WI and Hondo, Texas; eight children, Stephen (Lynn) of Kohler, WI and Florida; Barbara (Dennis) Smith of Tucson; Martha (Ron) Clarke of Albuquerque, NM; Thomas (Laurel) of Strum, WI; Richard (Christine) of Fox Point, WI; Jim (Sue) of Sheboygan, WI; Susan Leah (Kass Saleh) of Port Orange, FL; three step-children, Jerry (Pam) Corfman of Kiel, WI; Richard (Martha) Corfman of Dubuque, IA; Carol (David) Lemke of Madison, WI; 21 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.
He was also preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lester.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church on Washington Island with Rev. Frank Maxwell officiating.
Instead of flowers, Don has requested that donations be given to the following charities: Galilean Home Ministries, PO Box 880, Liberty, KY, 42539; Crossroads Nogales Mission, 456 N. Marley St., Nogales, AZ; and your local Salvation Army.
Sign online guestbook and offer condolences at http://www.huehnsfuneralhome.com/.
