Obituary for Lester Benjamin Kieffer
With humble acceptance of God’s will, Mr. Lester Benjamin (Ben) Kieffer, 86, Mercersburg, PA passed away on May 10, 2022, surrounded by family.
Known to most as Ben or Benjy, he was born in Mercersburg on December 2, 1935, and was the son of the late Lester Franklin Kieffer and Marian Gertrude Filkill-Johnson Kieffer. He was a 1954 graduate of Mercersburg High School where he excelled and received wide recognition as a premier player in both baseball and soccer.
After graduating from high school, Ben went on to enlist and serve his country in the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben subsequently enlisted and retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving for 20 years in a host of locations including Germany, England, Korea, Thailand, as well as Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and the Pentagon here in the United States.
His civilian career further displayed Ben’s service to this country as he was employed at Letterkenny Army Depot in the telecommunications and information systems areas for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1995.
Lester was dedicated to his family, church, and community. He was an assistant coach for his sons’ Mercersburg Little League baseball teams, a Red Cross volunteer for more than 20 years, a member of the Lewis H. Himes American Legion Post 830 of Mercersburg for 52 years, a Mason, and the Treasurer of the Fendrick Library of Mercersburg, a groundbreaking position for an African-American to hold.
Ben was a devout member of Bethel AME Church of Mercersburg and served as a Trustee, Steward, Head of the Usher board, and Finance committee member.
In his off-time, he enjoyed sports playing for the Mercersburg Giants baseball team, and later, the Leisure Lodge softball team. Once retired, he enjoyed playing billiards, fishing, hunting, and jazz music. On any given Sunday, he was supporting his Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ben was preceded in death by his sister - Marian Rosalind Proctor and three brothers - Omar Johnson, Robert (Neal) Johnson, and James R. (Rick) Johnson. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years Victoria; son Mark Kieffer and wife Karlyn of West Springfield, VA; son Darren Kieffer and wife Donta of Frederick, MD; two grandchildren Kayla Kieffer and Evan Kieffer; and many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Fries Funeral Home Inc., 47 North Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA 17236, with a visitation on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the same location. Reverend Marilyn Hubbard will be officiating. Interment will be held at Parklawns Memorial Gardens, 3218 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in the memory of Lester Kieffer be made to the following organizations: the National Pancreas Foundation (www.pancreasfoundation.org), American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or Bethel AME Church, 24 West California Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236.
Masking is strongly encouraged, although not required.
Known to most as Ben or Benjy, he was born in Mercersburg on December 2, 1935, and was the son of the late Lester Franklin Kieffer and Marian Gertrude Filkill-Johnson Kieffer. He was a 1954 graduate of Mercersburg High School where he excelled and received wide recognition as a premier player in both baseball and soccer.
After graduating from high school, Ben went on to enlist and serve his country in the U.S. Army. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Ben subsequently enlisted and retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving for 20 years in a host of locations including Germany, England, Korea, Thailand, as well as Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, and the Pentagon here in the United States.
His civilian career further displayed Ben’s service to this country as he was employed at Letterkenny Army Depot in the telecommunications and information systems areas for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1995.
Lester was dedicated to his family, church, and community. He was an assistant coach for his sons’ Mercersburg Little League baseball teams, a Red Cross volunteer for more than 20 years, a member of the Lewis H. Himes American Legion Post 830 of Mercersburg for 52 years, a Mason, and the Treasurer of the Fendrick Library of Mercersburg, a groundbreaking position for an African-American to hold.
Ben was a devout member of Bethel AME Church of Mercersburg and served as a Trustee, Steward, Head of the Usher board, and Finance committee member.
In his off-time, he enjoyed sports playing for the Mercersburg Giants baseball team, and later, the Leisure Lodge softball team. Once retired, he enjoyed playing billiards, fishing, hunting, and jazz music. On any given Sunday, he was supporting his Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ben was preceded in death by his sister - Marian Rosalind Proctor and three brothers - Omar Johnson, Robert (Neal) Johnson, and James R. (Rick) Johnson. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 52 years Victoria; son Mark Kieffer and wife Karlyn of West Springfield, VA; son Darren Kieffer and wife Donta of Frederick, MD; two grandchildren Kayla Kieffer and Evan Kieffer; and many beloved nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, May 21, 2022, at Fries Funeral Home Inc., 47 North Park Avenue, Mercersburg, PA 17236, with a visitation on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the same location. Reverend Marilyn Hubbard will be officiating. Interment will be held at Parklawns Memorial Gardens, 3218 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in the memory of Lester Kieffer be made to the following organizations: the National Pancreas Foundation (www.pancreasfoundation.org), American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), or Bethel AME Church, 24 West California Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236.
Masking is strongly encouraged, although not required.