Laura L. (Weirick) Keefer, 66 of Mansfield, died peacefully in her home Saturday, May 3, 2014, surrounded by family after an extended illness.
Laura was born January 16, 1948 to Paul and Viola (Wright) Weirick of Lucas, Ohio. Laura attended Lucas High School and was a 1966 graduate of Loudonville High School where she majored in FHA. She grew up on the family farm in Lucas where she loved raising goats and running around working with her dad. Laura spent most of her life as a hard working single mother of her two children.
In the late 1970’s, Laura helped establish the “Helpline” service in Mansfield. She was also instrumental in helping start the very first Domestic Violence Shelter in Richland County. Laura’s children remember they always had a houseful of women and children before a facility could be established. Laura was also a retired Telephone Operator for the United Telephone Company of Ohio in Mansfield. She served as chief union steward for the operators at IBEW local 688.
In her most recent years, Laura enjoyed being a homemaker and participated in community activities such as the Ohio Cancer Relay for Life. She also enjoyed gardening, going to church, and spoiling all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Laura was a woman of great Faith and loved the Lord very much. Laura had the most bubbly personality and great sense of humor. Laura literally never met a stranger and was loved by many.
She is survived by her husband of 26 years Robert Keefer Jr. of Mansfield; two children: son Dan (Nancy) Long of Mansfield; daughter Lynnette (Aaron) Workman of Shiloh; grandchildren Laura Whitney Long (fiancé Bradley Bond) of Shelby, Nathan Lewis Long of Lexington, Hanna Nicole Long of Mansfield, Brilynn Kay Haynes of Shiloh; great grandchildren Makayla Lynn Mullins and Jack Daniel Long; sister Paula Kershner of Mansfield; sister-in-law Carol Carter of Jacksonville, FL; uncle Berl (Jean) Chapman of Wilmington; nieces Machelle Arnold of Shelby, Marie Tackett of Mansfield, Patty Shrader of Mansfield; and many other family and friends. Laura also leaves behind her precious little dachshund Annie.
Laura was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Viola Weirick; mother-in-law and father-in-law Robert Sr. and Cleo Keefer; sister Millie Arnold; brother-in-law David Kershner; and sister-in-law Jean Herr of St. George Island, FL.
The family will receive friends 11 to 12 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014 in Snyder Funeral Home, 2553 Lexington Avenue in Mansfield. A memorial service celebrating her life will immediately follow at 12 noon with Pastor Russell Stanford officiating. At a later date, private burial will be held at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Lucas.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the family.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Laura’s family and to send her family a private message or to view her tribute video please visit SnyderFuneralHomes.com
