Martin Edward Keffer

November 5, 1938 - June 8, 2024

Martin Edward Keffer 85 of Newport Va. Passed away with his family beside him on June 8th at Carilion Giles Community Hospital. Martin was born on November 5 1938 in Klotz Va. to the late Elbert Lee Keffer and Minnie Exie Keffer.

Martin was a graduate of Pembroke High School, Class of 1957. Prior to his death he was a dedicated and longest serving active member of the Newport Volunteer Fire Department with 64 years of service where he served in many capacities and also that of Fire Chief. He is a member of the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association where he served as president in 1973-1974 Awarded Life Membership in 1992 and was a recipient of the ABOVE AND BEYOND award in 2013. Martin was an active member of the Giles County Firefighters Association and A Life Member of the Newport Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Martin was self-employed selling and servicing fire and rescue equipment throughout Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. In his spare time, he was active in community events and many projects at his church Edgewood United Methodist Church in Ripplemead, Virginia where he was a charter member. Martin was Assistant Scout Master of Troop 37 in Newport he also enjoyed old westerns and anything that John Wayne was in, enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles and vacationing in the Smoky Mountains with family

Martin is preceded in death by his sisters Janie Smith, Lorene Meadows, Marion Lowe Eppard also Brother-in-law Gerald F. Breen

Left to cherish his memory his loving wife of 64 years, Donna Breen Keffer; son and daughter-in-law Lawrence and Lorrie Keffer of Salem, Virginia; one grandson, Blake (Hope) Keffer of Salem, Virginia; and two great-grandchildren who were the love of his life Graylynn and Quaid Keffer of Salem, Virginia; brother Lane Keffer of Pearisburg, Virginia; sister, Mary Catherine Williams (Don) of Bluefield, Virginia; sister-in-Law Janet Breen of Marion, Virginia; and many nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

A special Thank You to the Doctors and Nursing Staff on 10 Mountain West ICU at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and Carilion Giles Community Hospital SCU Staff.

In honor of the years of service Martin gave to his community and surrounding communities, the family would appreciate all first responders to wear their uniforms to the funeral services.

A visitation will be held June 13, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Neal Turner and Reverend Terri Gregory officiating. Funeral services will conclude in the Newport Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Newport Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 122, Newport VA. 24128 or Edgewood United Methodist Church, 206 Magnolia Dr., Ripplemead, VA. 24150. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Keffer family.