Donald E. Keefer

Donald E. Keefer, 112 W. Owl Drive, Rochester, Ind., where he had been a resident for the past 12 years, coming from Auburn, Ind., died of a cancer-related illness at 3:25 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2000.  Don, 53, died in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.

                He was born in Huntington, Ind., on December 1, 1946, the son of Russell and Rosa Slagel Keefer.  He graduated from Auburn High School in 1964 and earned an accounting degree at Indiana University’s Ft. Wayne campus.

                Don was an E./Specialist in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict.  He was stationed in Germany in the Coleman Barracks.

                On Oct. 15, 1994, Don and Marla A. Ringle Condon were married in Rochester, Ind.

                A Certified Public Accountant for the last thirty years, Don had his own practice for the past eight years in Rochester: Keefer & Co. CPA.

                He enjoyed playing golf, doing yardwork and liked to read and travel.

                With his wife, he attended St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Plymouth and was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Auburn, Ind.  He was a member of American Legion Post #36, Rochester and the Moose Lodge #741, Plymouth.

                 An associate of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Donaldson, he was a member of the Indiana Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Rochester Chamber of Commerce.

                Don is survived by his wife, Marla, a son and two daughters.  They are James E. And Micki Keefer stationed with the U.S. Army in El Paso, Texas and Lisa A. and Kim Walker, Kimmel, Ind., and Christine A. Kessler, Grabil, Ind.

                A step-son and three step-daughters also survive:  Kevin and Anita Condon, Bourbon, Carleen A. Condon and Kelly L. Kring, all of Plymouth and Kimberly S. and Earl Rosinski, Bourbon.

                Eleven grandchildren, his mother, Rosa Carpenter,  two  sisters, Barbara Cast and Beverly Mellen and a brother, Gary Keefer, all  of Mason, Ohio, survive as well.

                Don was preceded in death by his father and James Keefer, a brother.

                Visitation with the family was from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2000, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.  A Rosary service was held at 8 p.m.

                A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2000, at 10 a.m. in St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 611 N. Center St., Plymouth.  Father Expedito Muwonge, officiated.

                Burial was in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth, where military honors were accorded Don by the Rochester American Legion Post #36.

                Memorial gifts in Don’s memory were made to the Ancilla Domini Convent, Donaldson, Ind.