- Date Of Birth: March 11, 1939
- Date Of Death: February 1, 2015
- State: Indiana
Edward A. “Ed” Kiefer Sr., 75, of Elkhart, passed away Sunday, Feb. 1, in his residence.
He was born March 11, 1939, in Elkhart, to Austin L. and Edna (Fischer) Kiefer.
Survivors include his wife, Karen D. (Borst) Sharkey-Kiefer of Elkhart; two sons, Edward (Deb) Kiefer Jr. of Goshen and Greg (Amy) Kiefer of Sacramento, Calif.; three daughters, Mindy (Ed) Voras of Phoenix, Anne (Neil) Batie of Elkhart and Elizabeth (Don) Robertson of Wakarusa; two brothers, Robert Kiefer of Elkhart and Joseph (Becky) Kiefer of Goshen; two sisters, Joyce Strintz of Bristol and Betty Pletcher of Goshen; his former spouse and the mother of his children, Judith Safford of Glenwood, N.M.; stepson Randy (Elaine) Sharkey of Goshen; stepdaughter Kari (Tim) Fara of Elkhart; 21 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Elaine Essig, Phyllis Crosbie and Patricia Hamilton, and an infant son, Andrew Kiefer.
Ed worked at his father’s business, Kiefer Manufacturing Co., for over 30 years and then retired from E.K. Blessing. He then worked part-time at Talmer West Bank for 14 years.
Ed had a unique gift of making everyone he came in contact with feel accepted. He taught each of his children unconditional love.
He welcomed each grandchild and great-grandchild with open arms. He was so proud of their accomplishments, ambitions and dreams. Ed made time for everyone, either by phone or in person. He had a passion for the weather and his little animals in his yard.
His sense of humor was second to none. If you were upset or sad, you could count on Ed to have you laughing so hard you would be crying with joy instead of sadness. Ed was the best storyteller and his real-life experiences were funnier than any joke told.
Ed loved his kids with a passion and he had amazing wisdom and knew just what to say. He was there for everyone he could get to.
Ed would babysit, pick up, run to, take with, get to and be available for everything we would ask him to do. God blessed us with an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, nephew and friend. We couldn’t have asked for better. We love you and count the days until we see you in your finest, waiting at Heaven’s gate.
