Bill Kieffer, 79, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at River Oaks in Princeton, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family.
Bill was born July 16, 1939, the son of Hyginus “Buss” Thomas and Pauline Frances (Berberich) Kieffer in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
He was a graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, attended Wabash Valley College and Dale Carnegie Training. Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. On January 16, 1982, he married Marilyn Sue Brake Withrow at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mt. Carmel. They enjoyed 36 years of marriage. They loved traveling, cruising, bus trips and time spent at Puerta Vallarta. He liked to fish for crappie and took a trip to Alaska specifically to fish with his sons. For twenty years Bill enjoyed the annual deer hunting trip in southern Illinois with his boys and friends. He delighted in golfing, playing cards and telling jokes!
Bill worked as a Banker’s Life Insurance Agent, sold gas & oil, and was in real estate sales. During his insurance career, he was named the #1 agent in the nation for sales.
Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club and Eagles. He was active in raising money through the Lions Club to help build Froman Lake.
Left to cherish Bill’s memory is his wife, Marilyn, of 36 years of marriage; children, Dynelle Gromelski and Ron Burks, Dana Blayney and husband Mark, Gary Kieffer and wife Kim, Bill Kieffer, Jr. and wife Anne Marie, Kelly Kieffer and wife Jennifer and Vikki Warren and husband Bill; siblings, Jeanette Sgro, Kenny Kieffer, Peggy Micko and Terri Snider; eighteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren.
Visitation for friends and family will be held Friday, December 14, 2018, starting with a Rosary at 5:00 followed with visitation until 8:00 p.m. all in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home, 527 N Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 125 West Fifth Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Burial will be held at a later date at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or St. Mary’s Catholic School. Envelopes will be available at Short Funeral Home and at the church.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Bill’s family.
