Ronald Keefer

Ronald E. Keefer, 60, of Mechanicsburg, PA, died Friday, August 25, 2017, after a courageous 3-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Ron, son of Alvey J. and Velma R. (Kopp), was born on September 21, 1956, and was a graduate of Boiling Springs High School. He served in the US Air Force, meeting the love of his life while stationed in Minot, ND. Ron then worked at NAVSUP until 2013, when he retired to be a full-time Grandpa. He was very proud of his 39 years of service to the Federal Government. After years of playing and coaching softball (pitching was his passion!), Ron carried over his love for sports as a PIAA official for basketball, soccer, and volleyball, for 18 years. He was a respected member of the officiating community and was recognized with the CPBOA Joe Mulligan Award for the 2014-2015 basketball season.

Ron is survived and missed by his adoring family: wife of 38 years, Nancy; daughters, Aubrey (Jesse) Graeser and Amy (Jake) Borden; grandchildren, Irie and Marley Graeser and Barrett and Keefer Borden; mother, Velma; father-in-law, Ludvig Bachmeier; siblings, Sandy (Dale) Myers, Carol (Denny) Lehman, Diana (Stuart) Moses, and David (Tammie) Keefer; siblings-in-law, Milissa (Randy) Delp and Darin (Vicki) Bachmeier; and many nieces and nephews who will fondly remember Uncle Ron's patient coaching during family games of wiffle ball. He was preceded in death by his father, Alvey, and his mother-in-law, Carol J. Bachmeier.

A visitation for friends and family will be held on Monday, August 28, from 6:00-8:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, August 29, at 2:00 PM with visitation an hour before the service. Both the visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 44 W Main St., Shiremanstown, PA 17011. Please come wearing attire for your favorite team, your best Hawaiian shirt, or your stripes. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to Fox Chase Cancer Center ( www.foxchase.org/giving ) or Hospice of Central PA ( http://hospiceofcentralpa.org/make-a-gift.php ). In Ron’s honor, you are also encouraged to attend a youth sporting event (and thank the officials for a game well-called), spend time with those you love most, visit a sick friend, and raise a glass to good company.