John Keefer

John Keefer, 78, of Orrstown, PA, passed into peaceful eternal rest Monday afternoon, July 10, 2017, with his wife by his side. John was born on April 28, 1939 at Chambersburg Hospital to the late John T. Keefer and Katherine Walck. John grew up in Fort Loudon and was raised by his maternal grandparents, George and Nell Walck, and his maternal Aunt and Uncle, Frieda and Clyde Gift. He attended James Buchanan High School and served from 1959 to 1963 in the United States Air Force.
As a young man, he worked for his Uncle George Walck at his Sinclair Gas Station, fixing automobiles. He attended heavy equipment school and was then employed along with his brother, Nick Belardinelli, by Henkle & McCoy burying telephone cable throughout much of Pennsylvania. He was later employed in Installation and Repair for United Telephone Systems, finally becoming a Lineman for Sprint, from which he retired after more than 30 years of service.
John is survived by his wife and true love, Viola A (Long) Keefer, whom he married on May 6, 1959; two daughters, Cindy (Jim) Caldwell and Marina (Terry) Putt, and a son, John (Nicole) Keefer. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Brooke Amber and Lindsay Alaina Tritle, Lucas Morgan and Molly Ann Keefer, Gabriel John and Nicholas Keefer Putt. He is survived by 3 great-grandchildren; Jaxin Rose and Joplin Rella Frazer and Juniper Moon Tritle.
John is also survived by a close cousin, Betty (Gift) (Sam) Burns, sister-in-law, Dorothy Belardinelli and several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Nick Belardinelli and sister, Rita (Mike) Naugle.
At the age of 15, John was a founding member of the 'Eleven Buck Club' in Oleona, Potter County, PA - helping with its construction starting in 1955. He faithfully saw the opening day of buck season for 62 years, no matter the conditions, through the 2016 hunting season. He missed only 2 years when he was stationed in England while serving in the Air Force. While at the cabin, he was known to cheerfully reminisce previous hunting seasons.
John loved horseback riding and was a member of the former Blue Mt. Trail Blazer’s Saddle Club. He also enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family — especially the numerous family functions and meals.
Better known as Dad, Pap, or simply Big John, he will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. Never one to complain, he wanted only the simple things in life; a loving wife, a happy home, and a healthy family. Surely he was blessed with all these things and more. Until we meet again... A celebration of a life service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at 2:30 PM in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Rd., Chambersburg, PA, where Pastor Dan Cluck will officiate. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will be private. .