In Memory
Herschel William Keefer
Dec. 5. 1927 - Aug. 10, 2004
Herschel William Keefer, 76, of Tinkham Avenue, Ludington, Mich., formerly of Fallcreek Drive, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in Tendercare Nursing Home, Ludington.
He was born on Dec. 5, 1925, in South Bend, Ind., as the son of the late Herschel T. and Lilly Karolina (Mais) Keefer. Herschel is survived by a daughter, Cathy Keefer of Baldwin, Mich.
He graduated from Adams High School in 1946. He helped his father run a franchise of the Kalamazoo Heating Company. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving his country proudly during World War II. After the war Herschel went on to Elmhurst College in Illinois and Monmouth College near Toms River, NJ. He taught industrial education as a para-professional at Muessel Elementary in South Bend for two years in the late 60s. He than went on to Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich., and graduated with a bachelor's in education in 1972. He began teaching Industrial Arts at Beiger School, Mishawaka. Along with his teaching, he was a football and track coach as well as head of the Audio Visual and Popcorn Clubs. Herschel then went on to get his master's degree from Ball State. In the mid 80s he started raising AKC smooth and rough collies, and was a member of the Michiana Kennel Club as well as the Collie Club of America. He was also a member of the American Legion and Lions Club, and he assisted with 4-H. While living near Brown County, Ind., he belonged to the Brown County Historical Society. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, weaving, spinning and other handicrafts.
Herschel took great pride in his Native American Wyandotte heritage, having read extensively, made many pieces of clothing and jewelry. He participated in re-enactment rendezvous and Pow Wows including the Sun Dance where he was known as JeebiDog Eschoda.
The Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka, has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Ind.
06/07/2021 DEC
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