Victor F Keefer 103, long time Ontonagon area educator, died Monday at home in his sleep. For the past many years he has lived with his daughter and son- in law, Jean and Mickey Hegg.

Keefer served the Ontonagon School District for 37 years, first as a teacher and coach, and then as principal and superintendent. He oversaw the reorganization of the school district which included the building of an elementary school in 1938, consolidation of the school districts of Mass- Greenland, Rockland and Ontonagon, and the building of a new High School in 1964. He wrote the History of the Ontonagon School District and enacted many new changes in education that seem commonplace today.

Victor Keefer was born in Morenci, Michigan, April 29, 1907 to Fred A and Alice (Ford) Keefer. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Michigan State University.

He came by train to Ontonagon in 1932 to become a teacher of agriculture, general science, algebra and geometry and coach football.

Although he often stated he planned to spend just a year or two in Ontonagon, he met and married Silvia Levine of Ontonagon on June 12,1934 and never left the area or the school district.

He was named principal in 1941 and superintendent in 1946, a position he held until retirement in 1969. At the time of his retirement he was quoted as saying he planned to stay in Ontonagon, " because I like the community and you people."

Following retirement he enjoyed hunting, fishing and visiting his family.

The soft spoken superintendent said in his retirement that the most difficult time as superintendent were the years of teacher shortages and use of church basement for classes because there was no room in the crowded schools. When the state later refused to permit use of the church basements Keefer said the school had to "cram all those children back into the elementary school resulting in one teacher who had 58 students and others as many as 48." The new high school and more men entering the teaching field, really made my job easier," he said.

Keefer was also active within the community as a charter member of the Lion's Club, and the Ontonagon County Historical Society. He was an active member of the Ontonagon Sports Booster Club and attended basketball and football games regularly well into his 90's. The Booster Club held a special "Vic Keefer Day" and named him the school's Number 1 Fan.

Keefer was also a member of the Ontonagon United Methodist Church.

He is survived by two daughters: Jeanie (Mickey) Hegg, Ontonagon, Ellen (Barry) Hinytz Wawatosa , Wi., one son: Bob (Shigeko ) Keefer, Utica, Michigan; six grandchildren: Patty Keefer (Nathan ) Konopka, Beverly Hills Mi, Kathy Keefer (Brandon) Cruz of Hawaii, Glen Hinytz, and Lori Hinytz, both of Wawatosa, Janet Hegg Collins, Lewiston, MI, Alison Hegg (Trent)Thorson, Duluth, MN and 11 great Grandchildren: Nicole, Adrienne, Kyle, Jason, Sarah, Dennis, Leah, Hannah, Natalie, Rayna, and Keefer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sylvia in 1985, a granddaughter, Victoria Hinytz, a sister, Rose Johnston and brother Curtis Keefer,

Visitation at the Cane Funeral Home will be Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..

Funeral Services for Victor Keefer will be Thursday at 11 a .m. at the Ontonagon United Methodist Church with Pastor Bruce Steinberg and Rev. John Voss, officiating. Burial in the Riverside Cemetery, Ontonagon.

Those who wish may make donations in Victor's name to the Ontonagon Area Schools Education Enrichment Foundation by contacting them at OASEEF@hotmailcom.