Willard E. “Will” Kieffer Jr., age 46, of rural Mineral City, Ohio, died suddenly Wednesday, September 27, 2023, as the result of a rail accident while he was working in Stroud, Oklahoma.
He was born May 18, 1977, in Canton, Ohio and was the son of the late Willard Eugene Kieffer Sr. and Carolyn (Ohler) Kieffer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his three oldest girls, Lori Ann (King) Kieffer, his father-in-law Thomas Brimager, and his paternal grandparents Virgil and Esther Kieffer.
Will graduated from Tuscarawas Valley High School in 1995. He was a 23-year employee of Railserve, Inc. where he was Regional Leader of the Mechanical Department. His co-workers served as his out-of-town family when he was working away from home. Will possessed a friendly demeanor and gentle humor and enjoyed meeting people anywhere he traveled. In 2017, he, along with his wife Jamie purchased “Jamie’s Apple Treats”, and together they spent their summers traveling and selling apple dumplings. He never met a stranger and was loved by so many of the folks that he met at fairs and festivals while working in the apple dumpling trailer, including two very special employees Darren and Emmy Allen. In those rare moments when Will wasn’t working somewhere, he treasured the moments that he could spend sitting around the fire with his friends and family, maybe enjoying a good “Jack” on the rocks. He loved to travel with Jamie and his family to Tennessee or spending a content evening taking his family and friends out to dinner. He was an adoring husband and father who will be missed by his family, friends and co-workers.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Jamie R. (Brimager) Kieffer, whom he married May 18, 2012, their six children, Ashley Marie Kieffer (Fiance Dacoda Meek) of Newcomerstown, OH, Melissa Mae Kieffer (Fiancée Kaitlyn Bolam) of Canton, Vanessa Jo Kieffer (boyfriend Carter Miller) of Sugarcreek, OH, Braison Arbogast of the home, Natalie Kieffer (boyfriend Kaleb Swanson) of Louisville, OH, and Skylie Arbogast of the home, his brother, Bobby Kieffer of Dover, OH, step-brother Grady Woodring of Canton, and in-laws Becky Brimager of Mineral City and Mr. and Mrs. Lars (Jovan) King of New Philadelphia, OH, brother-in-law Joe Brimager of Dover, Aunt Darlene Sulit of Auberry, CA, and nieces and nephews Meghan, Justin, Caitlyn, J.T., Tommy, and Jed., and two people who held a special place in is heart, Mrs. Brittany (Ben) Kaplar of Canton, and his special friend Billy Maze of Mineral City. Also surviving are who he described as “his favorite kids”, his coonhounds Willow and Lou.
Service arrangements are currently pending at the Baxter-Gardner Funeral Home at Sherrodsville. To leave an online condolence message please visit the funeral home website.
Baxter-Gardner
(740) 269-9225
www.baxtergardner.com
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