Edward Earl Keefer's Obituary
Edward Earl Keefer died unexpectedly on April 15, 2026 at his home in Lewes, Delaware.
Born in Seneca, Pennsylvania on August 14, 1955 to Earl and Irene Keefer, Ed spent most of his life in Venango County, Pennsylvania. Having graduated from Cranberry High School in 1973, Ed married his high school sweetheart, Karen Sue Beebe, on May 28, 1977 at the Heckathorn United Methodist Church in Seneca, PA. He designed and built his first home, an earth-sheltered home covered with a greenhouse.
Learning to play the guitar at a young age made a major and lasting impact on his life. After graduating from high school, Ed traveled throughout western Pennsylvania and New York playing and singing on the Holiday Inn circuit. At the age of 19, and with the help of his parents, he built and opened a full-service music store, Harmony Music House. In 1985, he and his wife, Susie, opened a piano factory, Classic Player Pianos, subsequently purchasing both Wurlitzer and Story & Clark Pianos. He also founded and owned the Songbird Guitar company. After selling Classic Player Piano Co., he set up shop at his home where he restored antique grand pianos for dealers all across the country. Having moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, he started his own home renovation business. Ed was known for always hiring people that were in need of jobs and giving people the chance to change their lives.
In addition to his wife, Susie, Ed is survived by their three children, Jaclyn (Julie) Keefer and Miriam Keefer, both of Lewes, Delaware, and James (Brittany) Keefer of Canonsburg, PA., as well as grandchildren, Finn and Noah Sutton, and Elliot and Damian Keefer. He is also survived by his sister, Margie (Todd) Hart of Rockland, PA, brother-in-law Ron French of Seneca, PA, sisters-in-law Michelle (David) Dumpe of Georgia and Lisa Harry of Seneca, and brother-in-law Scott Harry of Seneca. He was an awesome uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Irene Keefer, his in-laws Jack and Jeanne Beebe, and his sister Susan French.
Ed had a strong faith in his Lord and tried to live his life as Jesus would want him to. He was very active in all the churches that he attended. During a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Susie met and connected deeply with a young child there named Miriam. When circumstances in Miriam’s life changed, Ed reminded his wife that God tells us to take care of the widows and orphans. They agreed that she should be their adopted daughter. In her honor, Ed and Susie founded Miriam’s Table, a nutrition ministry in the Mpasa Region of DRC, which now feeds over 350 children daily. They also oversaw the drilling of a fresh water well and provide antiparasitic medications for the children there.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, April 19, from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at the Bethel United Methodist Church located at 129 West 4th Street, Lewes, DE, with a Celebration of Life to follow at 4:00pm. An additional Celebration of Life will be held in Seneca, PA at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Miriams Table online at https://Miriamstable.org or by mail at PO Box 402, Lewes, DE, 19958.
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