Gilbert A. "Gib" Keefer, age 89 of Elwood, died Sunday, June 10, 2012 at St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Elwood following an extended illness. He was born April 14, 1923 in Wabash, the son of Harry J. and Myrtle (Stults) Keefer. He was an electrician at General Tire Corporation in Wabash for many years, and retired in 1982. Gib was a 1941 graduate of Somerset High School, and later attended Indiana Business College at Fort Wayne. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during W.W.II working as a radio operator. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elwood where he was formerly active in the choir; a 50-year member of the Somerset Masonic Lodge; and a member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the U.A.W. Union #626 where he served as a Union Representative. He married Joan (Malott) Widmeyer on February 14, 1981. Gib enjoyed gardening tomatoes and peppers, woodworking, reading, and music. He especially enjoyed spending the winter months in Spanish Lakes, Florida where he was active in the local breakfast club.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Keefer of Elwood; 3 children, Philip (wife Susan) Keefer of Wabash, Jayne Rice of Wabash, and Nancy (husband Jesse) Williams of Kokomo; 3 step-children, Bob Widmeyer of Indianapolis, Bonnie (husband Steve) Colson of Noblesville, and Barbara Bishop of Cincinnati, OH; 8 grandchildren, Sheri Dennison, Tim (wife Laura) Dennison, Jason (wife Leslie) Meeks, Megan (husband Marion) Castle, Jared (wife LaTisha) Williams, Kristen (husband Gary) Southworth, Jenny (husband Chris) Rice, and Christopher Keefer; 6 step-grandchildren, Stephanie Sharpe, Marcus (wife Bethany) Colson, Shelli Widmeyer, LaDale (Wife Angela) Widmeyer, Scott Williams (wife Ann), and Troy Wilson; 11 great-grandchildren, Brandon, Matt, Adam, Brayden, Kaiden, Landen, Isabelle, Sophia, Madeline, Rylan, and Weston; 5 step-great-grandchildren, Andrew, Zack, Aria, Taylor, and Gabe; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Adaline "Toots" (Maple) Keefer, who died in 1979; 3 brothers, Edward Keefer, Wilfred Keefer, and Harold Keefer; and 2 sisters, Pearl Renbarger and Ruby Aukerman.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church – 1500 North A Street, Elwood, with Rev. William Mathys officiating. Burial will follow in the Mississinewa Cemetery south of Wabash where military honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM Friday, June 15, 2012 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the National Kidney Foundation through the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to: www.copherfeslermay.com.