Margarita R. Keffer

Margarita R. Keffer, age 88, of Dover, died peacefully late Saturday evening, January 29, 2011, in New Dawn Health Care Center. Born at Brandonville, West Virginia, August 23, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Vernon and Ida Teets Early. A product of a musically talented home, “Rita” as she was best known to her family and friends, was an accomplished musician, playing the piano, organ, accordion, guitar, and most household musical instruments, at one time, performing with the group known as the New Philadelphia Kitchen Band. On October 30, 1943, Rita married John James Keffer. The two would rear two children, Edward Lee Keffer, now deceased, as well as a daughter, Cricket Rose Keffer, also deceased. Rita and John relocated to Strasburg, and later Dover, where John passed away in 1974. She’ll be remembered as the first female to retire from manufacturing work at Gradall, in September, 1990, having worked on the line for sixteen years cutting medal underwater. Her memberships included the Golden Legacy Senior Friends, the Dover Bible Church, the Republican Club, and the Super Kids Kitchen Band. With her family members deceased, Rita opened her arms to those whom she treated like sons and daughters, including a large number of the staff at New Dawn Health Care Center, including Pat (Grant) Massey of Strasburg, Dave (Sue) Rodweller of Carrollton, Sandy (Jim) Cooper of New Philadelphia, Mary Rothacher of Dennison, and Larry Cyrus of Bolivar. Friends are invited to call Thursday from 4 to 7 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Ed Scaglione will lead Mrs. Keffer’s funeral service Friday morning at 9:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow in New Philadelphia’s East Avenue Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Dover Bible Church Missionary Fund, 4173 Minard Road NW Dover, OH 44663.LINN-HERT-GEIB Funeral Home & Crematory(330) 343-5506www.geibcares.com