Susan Jane Keffer, 82, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026, at the home of her daughter in Hopkins, Michigan.

Susan was born on December 25, 1943, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the third of nine children born to Elton and Marion (Burton) Bell. She had fond memories of her childhood, especially the times she spent with cousins and friends at Portage Lake. She married James Schneider in 1961, and the couple welcomed their three children in as many years. In 1967, Susan married Thomas Keffer, and together they added two more children to their growing family. In 1969, the family moved from Ann Arbor to Vicksburg, where Susan spent the next eight years as a full-time homemaker and wife, raising five children while helping build three family homes alongside her husband, Tom.

In the fall of 1977, the family settled in Kingsley, Michigan, where Susan would make her home for the next 44 years. In 1978, she took a position as secretary at Kingsley Elementary School, a career she devoted 25 years to, retiring in 2003 as secretary to the superintendent. Susan also gave a decade of service as a volunteer with the Kingsley Ambulance, serving as both a first responder and secretary. She also served for many years as Clerk for the Village of Kingsley. During her four decades in Kingsley, Susan found lifelong friends through her work and volunteer service.

In retirement, Susan and Tom enjoyed camping together and traveling to Las Vegas and Gulf Shores, where they soaked up the sun and tried their luck at the slot machines. Susan was, above all, a gifted homemaker — cooking for her large family, canning and freezing the harvest, sewing, cross-stitching, and keeping an immaculate home that welcomed everyone who walked through its door. She had a deep love of flowers and maintained a beautiful garden at her last home in Kingsley.

Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Keffer; her sons, Edward Schneider and David Keffer; her parents, Elton and Marion (Burton) Bell; her father-in-law, Merle Keffer; her brothers, Bob Bell, Stephen Bell, Roger Bell, and Tony Bell; her sister, Josephine Martin; and her dear sisters-in-law, Linda Bell, Sally Bell, Barb Bell, and Marilyn (Bell) Clark.

She is survived by her three daughters and their spouses: Jessi (Mitch Sedlacek), Theresa (Kirk) Way, and Lucinda (Scottie) Bellmore; and her daughter-in-law, Joann Keffer. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sunni (Alex) Alamine, Suzi Sedlacek, Travis (Jacquie) Sedlacek, Jennifer Fitzsimons, Dalton (Anna) Fitzsimons, Christian (Lynette) Fitzsimons, Grace Fitzsimons, Eddie Broad, Gustave Bellmore, Josephine Bellmore, Allen Keffer, Rachael (Andrew) Orlando, Rylee Keffer, and Adam Keffer; and her great-grandchildren: Zayn Alamine, Aurora Sedlacek, Aria Sedlacek, Katie Fitzsimons, Colt Fitzsimons, Scarlet Fitzsimons, and Caden Fitzsimons.

She is also survived by her brother, Elton (Bonnie) Bell; her sisters, Janet (David) Potter and Judy (Bob) Brush; her sisters-in-law, Jamie Bell and Patricia Bell; and many nieces and nephews.

Susan will be remembered for her steady hands, her devotion to her family, and the countless meals, stitches, and quiet acts of care that held her large family together for generations.

Visitation will be held at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service in Kingsley, MI, on September 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on September 10 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. A funeral service will follow at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service on September 10 at 11:00 a.m., with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Kingsley.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Michigan Hospice.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com