Thomas Lee Keiffer, age 76 years of Lima, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022 at 7:05 p.m. at Lima Memorial Health Systems.

He was born Sept. 8, 1945 in Lima, to Robert and Leona (Schneider) Keiffer who preceded him in death. On October 14, 2006 he married Nancy Wade Keiffer who survives.

Also surviving are their children: Thomas (Nicole) Keiffer of Lima, Tina Marie (Adam) Rayl of Bluffton, Jake Alan (Tara) Elsass of Washington, DC, Deanna Sioux (Jeremy) Drake of Neosho, MO, Karen Jorita (Chris) Jackson of O’Fallon, IL and John David Elsass of Phoenix City, AL. He is also survived by his sisters: Ruth LeBlanc of Elida, Jeanette Robison of Dade City, VA, Marilyn (Joe) Vinoski of Lake Anna, VA, and Roberta Langmeyer of Lima. He leaves behind his grandchildren: Amber (Frank) Long of Beaverdam, Taylee (Jevaughn) Phillips, Zaida Keiffer and Jason Keiffer all of Lima, Joseph “Joey” Elsass, Gideon Elsass and Gunnar Elsass all of Bonaire, GA, McKynzie Drake of Neosho, MO, Caleb Jackson, Colten Jackson and Kyla Jackson all of O’Fallon, IL; five great-grandchildren and one on the way; brothers-in-law, John Ervin and Logan Nolan both of Lima, Mark Wade of Gersham, OR and Joe McCrae; sisters-in-law, Rachel Keiffer of Westminster, Diann Foster of Campbellsville, KY, Mary (Doc) Evans of Lima and his mother-in-law, Edith Wade of Gersham, OR. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom is preceded in death by his second wife, Nancy Jo (Miller) Keiffer and the following siblings: Robert “Sonny” Keiffer, Delores Whitacre, Mildred Nolan, Joan (Joe) McCrae, Carol Ervin, Paul Keiffer and Ronald Keiffer, and his father-in-law, Floyd Wade.

He retired after 30 years driving truck for Scot Lad/Roundy’s. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during Vietnam. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church, a lifetime member of VFW Post 1275, a lifetime member of American Legion Post 96, a lifetime member of D.A.V. #19 and a member of F.O.E. Aerie #370, all of Lima. He liked to drink coffee with the boys at the American Legion, and go to the Eagles and getting a can of pop. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family. He was an avid Buckeyes and Browns fan.

His Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022 at St. Rose Catholic Church, with Fr. David Ross officiating. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery following the service with military rites by the U.S. Navy and V.F.W. Post 1275. Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services.

A special thank you to the nurses and doctors in the I.C.U. at Lima Memorial for their professional care.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 96 or V.F.W. Post 1275.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.