Mark Russell Keefer

Mark Russell Keefer, 74, of Akron, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 17, 2022, after a short battle with cancer.

Mark was born in Connellsville, PA, to A.R. and Marjorie Lou (Rush) Keefer on March 3, 1948.  They moved to Ohio when he was young, where he attended and graduated from Warren Harding High School, class of 1966. He studied political science at the University of Alabama, graduating in 1970. He then moved back to Ohio, where he worked as an employment relations representative at the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services until his retirement in 2003.  

He married Linda Phillips (nee Williams) on October 13, 1973. They raised their family in Rock Creek and New Lyme, Ohio, before moving to Akron in 2016.

Mark was an avid sports fan, religiously following the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team and the Cleveland Browns and University of Alabama Crimson Tide football teams. He attended many Browns and Pirates games, and was always happy to talk about the scores from any of the latest games. He also enjoyed fantasy football and was a member of the same league for over 25 years. 

He was active in his church, Livnu, and spent many hours reading his Bible. He loved sitting out by his backyard pond or chatting with friends on the phone. But he was happiest when spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and granddogs. 

Mark is survived by his wife Linda; four children: Shanda (Mark) Nagle, Erica (David) Sodee, Shane (Stephanie) Keefer and Amanda Keefer (Jerrid Prisk); nine grandchildren: Beric, Morgan, Bradley, Ian, Brent, Breanna, Jacob, Harrison and Nash; a sister, Patricia (Paul) Dunn; a brother, Matt (Carla) Keefer; his beloved dogs, Violet and Pugsley; and many nieces, nephews and good friends. 

A private celebration of life for family and friends will be held in May. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark’s name to Cleveland Clinic Hospice Care.

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