Thomas Allen Keffer, 79, of Traverse City died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

He was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on September 28, 1943.  He was raised by his father (Merle), Grandma Lavern and Aunts, Florence and Velma.  This was after his parents divorced when he was 9 years old.

Tom graduated from Ypsilanti High School in the class of 1961.  After graduation, he enlisted the United States Marine Corps and at the age of 17 went through USMC Boot Camp and Infantry Training.  Tom was extremely proud of his service with E Company 2 ^nd Battalion 4 ^th Marine Regiment 1 ^st Marine Brigade Hawaii.  Tom's service was during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam ERA.  He was honorably discharged in July 1965 as Sergeant E5 Squad Leader.  The Marine Honor Guard will be present at Sergeant Keffer's funeral out of respect for him and his family.

Tom worked for Kroger Food Stores as a meat cutter for 20 years.  He then worked a second career at Kingsley High Schools as a custodial maintenance supervisor and retired after 17 years of service.

Tom lived in Kingsley for 44 years and served his community as a volunteer firefighter for 12 years.

Tom is survived by his wife Susan of 56 years.  They both retired from Kingsley Area Schools.  Following retirement, they enjoyed many trips camping, fun trips to Las Vegas, and the casinos in Michigan.

He is also survived by: his daughters, Jessica (Mitch) Sedlacek, Theresa Broad, and Lucinda (Scottie) Bellmore; daughter-in-law, Joann Keffer; his grandchildren, Sunni (Alex) Alamine, Suzanna Sedlacek, Travis (Jacquie) Sedlacek, Jennifer Fitzsimons, Dalton (Anna) Fitzsimons, Christian (Lynette) Fitzsimons, Grace Fitzsimons, Eddie Broad, Rachael (Andrew) Orlando, Allen Keffer, Rylee Keffer, Adam Keffer, Josephine Bellmore, and Gustave Bellmore; and great-grandchildren, Katie, Colt, Zayne, Aurora, and Scarlet.

He is also survived by a sister, Carolyn Ritter and a brother, Mark Harris.

Tom was preceded in death by: his father, Merle; his mother, Madelyn Fish; sons, Edward Schneider and David Keffer; his wife's parents, Elton and Marion Bell; and several very special siblings-in-law.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Kingsley Chapel.  Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the United States Marie Corps.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Friday, March 24, 2023, at the funeral home and from 10:00 AM until time of services on Saturday.

Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, in Kingsley, in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice.

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

www.beaconfh.com