Gary Keefer

1939 - 2021

Gary Keefer
Gary Dee Keefer, 82, of Sanford died Tuesday evening, October 12th, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on June 10th, 1939, in St. Louis Michigan, son of the late Orland and Wilma (Marsh) Keefer. Gary married the former Shelby Jean Arthur on August 27th, 1960, in Alpena. He grew up in Alpena and attended a one room schoolhouse, in Alma Michigan. He also attended Bingham Elementary, McFee Junior High, Alpena High and graduated from there. He went to Alpena Community College and Central Michigan University. Gary was a teacher and artist and had received his master's in education and administration. He was always a hard worker. As a young boy he worked as a dishwasher and delivered newspapers. He had worked at Alpena Cement Plant in High School and College, also at McKellen's Dime Store. Gary played piano for The Salvation Army as well as drums for the school and in a band. He taught at Owosso High School where he directed plays and had oversight of the school newspaper. After that Gary taught English at Midland High School where he wrote articles for the teacher's magazine, taught 12th grade English, and developed a creative writing program. Gary attended Alpena Assembly of God and was a youth leader at Methodist Church in Owosso. He was also a member of First Baptist Church in Midland preforming Church Director duties (filled in preaching), pianist/worship leader, as well as writing and directing VBS. He retired in 1978 from Midland High School to focus on his art and sold many paintings of pets, scenery, and portraits.
Surviving besides his wife Shelby are his two daughters Carla J. (Ronald) Ives of Mount Pleasant and Connie A. (Paul) Knoerr of Midland, a son-of-the-heart, Cornell and Virginia Shepherd Sr. of Texas. Also, his two sisters Bonnie Sterk of Grand Rapids and Nona Bowen of Alpena. Surviving grandchildren include Caleb and Latoya Ives of Oviedo Florida, Matthew and Nicole Homan of Shepherd Michigan, Dustin and Jessica Ives of Bel Air Maryland, Jacob DeLong and fiancée Victoria Davis of Midland Michigan. Great grandchildren surviving include Lily, Grace, Maya, and Faith Ives of Florida; Reuben, Abraham, Jordan, Peter, Nevaeh, Shiloh, Brionna, Daniel, Isaiah, Haddie, Ezekiel, Gideon, Phoebe, and Jed of Shepherd Michigan; Ethan and Reese Ives of Maryland; Appali DeLong of Midland; Cornell Jr. and Chad Shepherd of Texas.
Funeral services for Gary will take place at 11 A.M. Friday October 15th, 2021, from The Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home at 1200 W. Wheeler St. where Pastor Ronald Ives will officiate. Burial will be in Sanford Cemetery. Gary's family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4-7 P.M. Thursday evening and on Friday from 10 A.M. until time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Potter's House Global Network, the mission outreach of their daughter and her husband in Gary's memory. Arrangements for Gary were entrusted to the care of The Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home.