JAMES FREDERICK KEIFFER Obituary (1934

James Frederick (Fred) Keiffer, 81, of Troy, MT passed away at his home November 11, 2015 from natural causes. He was born October 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, ID 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 with his son, Richard, for 2 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 He also loved square dancing and in 2012, he and Dolores were named co-Grand Marshal 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, Dolores Keiffer of Troy; sons Thomas Keiffer, Joseph (Kathy) Keiffer, and Richard (Kathy) Keiffer all of Troy; daughter Teresa (Steve) Carson of Eugene, OR; 13 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service for James will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 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.