Phillip Keiper, 89, of Rittman, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on January 4, 2015. He was born on November 1, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Jakob and Elizabeth Keiper. Phillip enjoyed all types of agriculture including dairy, beef and crop farming. He loved to be surrounded by God’s beauty in the woods where he cut firewood and processed maple syrup. Phillip worked as a carpenter and enjoyed building projects or harvesting crops with his family. As a dedicated member of the Apostolic Christian Church, Phillip loved and faithfully served the Lord. Phillip was always tinkering and leaves a legacy of resourcefulness for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Theresa (Fetzer) Keiper of Rittman; his children, Butch (Linda) Keiper of Seville, Dave (Paula) Keiper of Mansfield, Linda (Dean) Sabo of Phoenix, AZ, Rick (Lisa) Keiper of East Greenville, PA, Mark (Sandy) Keiper of Medina, Paul Keiper of Cleveland, Diane (Sam) Katanic of Boynton Beach, FL; siblings, Theresa Martin of Seville, Helen (Bill) Shurance of Seville, Reinhart (Betty) Keiper of Wadsworth, Caroline Max of Orlando, FL, Kathy (Don) Stokes of Rancho Santa Fe, CA; twenty-three grandchildren; and eighteen great-grandchildren. Phillip is preceded in death by his son, Jerry Keiper; and siblings, Elsie Boleratz and Jacob “Bob” Keiper.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, in the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 10, at 11:00 a.m. in the Apostolic Christian Church, 84 N. Illinois Avenue, Mansfield. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Home, 10680 Steiner Rd., Rittman, OH 44270.
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