Helen Irene Kieffer, 98, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Wabash General Hospital. She was born on September 22, 1922 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the daughter of Rufine and Mary (Forwe) Smith. She married Richard Owen Kieffer on February 14, 1953 and he preceded her in death.
As a young girl, during WWII, Helen worked at the Chrysler factory. She then was a telephone operator with GTE in Mount Carmel before moving onto the Thordarson Meissner factory. Helen also was a devoted farm wife and mother of three who enjoyed gardening, tending to the rose bushes and her beautiful African violets. Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Helen leaves behind her sons, Richard David Kieffer and wife Connie, Dennis Kieffer and wife Cyndie; daughter, Dorothy Jean Woodsmall; five grandchildren, Nathan, Mathew, Jennifer, Jacquelyn and Eva; three great-grandchildren, Cale, Jacob and Emily; sisters, Agnes Nedeff, Marjory Weber; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Kieffer; and brother, George Smith.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Social distancing practices will be in place.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Robert Zwilling officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery where Helen will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.
Memorial contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to St. Mary’s School.
Envelopes will be available at the Church or can be mailed in care of Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Helen’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Kieffer family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
