James F. Keiffer

James F. Keiffer

81, of Troy

James Frederick “Fred” Keiffer, 81, of Troy, passed away at his home November 11, 2015 from natural causes.  He was born Oct. 4, 1934 in Metaline Falls, WA to James C. and Ella May (Tucker) Keiffer.

Fred’s father was a miner and the family moved from Metaline Falls to Mullen, Idaho, when he was a baby. His father passed away when he was 18 months old and his mother eventually married Tom Petroff. They moved back to Metaline Falls, where Fred attended school and spent most of his childhood. He graduated from Metaline Falls High School in 1954. 

After graduation, Fred moved to Libby where he went to work for C & H Market. In May of 1956, he went to work for J. Neils Lumber Company and worked in the shop.

Fred married Dolores Chaney in April 26, 1957, and one month later he was drafted into the United States Army. While in the service, he was trained at diesel school and spent time in Kaiserslautern, Germany. In May of 1959, Fred received an honorable discharge and returned to Libby to work for J. Neils Lumber Company. He retired from Champion International in 1993, where he had worked as a diesel mechanic. Following retirement, he attended one year of auto body school and worked for his son, Rich, for two years.  

Fred was an avid outdoorsman and taught his children the arts of hunting, fishing, hiking and water skiing. He was involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In addition, Fred also loved square dancing and in 2012, he and Dolores were named co-Grand Marshals for the Idaho State Square Dance Festival. Fred will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by brothers Clarence and Sidney.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Delores Keiffer of Troy; sons Thomas Keiffer, Joseph (Kathy) Keiffer and Richard (Kathy) Keiffer, all of Troy; daughter Teresa (Steve) Carson of Eugene, Ore.; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

  A memorial service for James will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at Troy Christian Fellowship.  Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.