Keith J. Riffell, age 81, of Granger, passed away Monday, May 12, 2014 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. Keith was born April 11, 1933 in Darke County, Ohio to the late Chester and Miriam (Hall) Riffell. On June 10, 1978, he married his wife Shirley in Gettysburg, Ohio.
Surviving are his wife Shirley, and their children; Rev. Richard (Jenny) Martindale of Clarksville, TN, Melissa ( Rev. Frank) Beard of Indianapolis, IN, Daniel (Brenda) Martindale of Mishawaka, Kimberly Riffell of South Bend, Rebecca Garcia of Elkhart, Todd Riffell of Pomona, CA, David (Colleen) Martindale of Pensacola, FL, Douglas (Julie) Martindale of South Bend, and Kent (Chikako) Riffell of Middlebury, IN. Surviving as well are 21 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Keith is also survived by his siblings, Gene (Phyllis) Riffell of High Point, NC, Evangeline (Charles) Hinkle of Gettysburg, OH, Janice Trevan of West Covina, CA, Mary Short of Gettysburg, OH and his sister-in-law Mary Riffell of Arcanum, OH. He was preceded in death by his brother, Arthur Riffell, and his brothers- in-law, Bill Trevan and Charles Short.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 pm Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. There will also be one hour of calling prior to the 2:00 pm funeral service on Friday, May 16, 2014 at Faith Community Church in Elkhart. Interment will follow in Olive Cemetery, Elkhart.
Keith served in the Army during the Korean War era, and was honorably discharged in 1955. He worked for many years as a carpenter, as well as at several local factories. He was a charter member of Faith Community Church in Elkhart, where he served as a custodian, Sunday school teacher, and as a trustee on the church board. He also loved to garden, and had a 10,000 square foot garden where he raised fruits and vegetables. With the proceeds of his fruit stand, he supported Living Water International to build wells in Africa. He and his wife were also longtime sponsors of 2 children through Compassion International.
In his memory, donations may be made to Living Water International online at www.water.cc.