Glen Keffer, 86, of Brookings, passed away July 28, 2011, at his home, with his family by his side. 

Glen was born July 30, 1924, in Toppenish, Wash., to Edward and Lily Keffer.  

The family lived in different areas of Oregon including the Coast and the Rogue Valley before settling in the Eugene area. Glen’s mother died when he was 12 years old, and he was subsequently sent to a boarding school in Dorena. It was there that he met Mattie Montgomery whom he would later marry on Dec. 6, 1940, in Eugene. 

Shortly after that, Glen was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps where he served in the South Pacific for two years. 

He then returned to Oregon. He and Mattie moved to Brookings in 1950, where Glen worked in contracting and as a timber faller before beginning a more than 30-year career driving a truck – a job he loved. 

Glen retired from that in 2000. Glen enjoyed hunting and fishing, sports and family picnics. He also never missed an opportunity to peel potatoes for Mattie in one of her restaurants He was a member of Elks Lodge 1934 and Calvary Assembly of God.

Survivors include Mattie  Keffer, his wife of nearly 70 years, of Brookings; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Barbara Keffer of Eureka, Calif.; grandchildren Melody Bond, Jason, Brian and Kory Keffer; great-grandchildren Austin, Katelyn, Alexa “Lefty,” Rogan, Justin, Rylen and Noah “Buffalo.” 

Glen was preceded in death by his daughters Glenda Westeren and Sandra Curtis; grandson Troy Curtis; and brothers Mick, Bob, Henry, Harold and Warren.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the W.J. Ward Memorial Cemetery, 1035 Seventh St. in Brookings. Interment will follow there.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Coastal Home Health and Hospice, Hope Caregivers: Loyd, Brandon and Lonnie, and to Mary McCourt – Mattie’s sister – for all of their care and compassion during Glen’s final days. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718 Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to Coastal Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 493, Gold Beach, OR 97415.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.

Submitted by Redwood Memorial Chapel.