Esther Eileen Kieffer

Esther Eileen Kieffer, 98, of New Marion passed away at 4:10 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Manderley Health Care Center in Osgood. She was born in the St. Magdalene Community near New Marion on July 18, 1927, the daughter of George and Dora McNew Gigerich. She was married to Arthur Kieffer on July 22, 1950, and he preceded her in death on April 25, 2014. Survivors include three daughters Kathy Kieffer of Greensburg, Carol (Sam) Byard, and Joan Carter both of Versailles; three grandsons Kile (Kendra) Carter, Craig Byard, and Joel (Kelli) Carter, and great-grandchildren Brayden and Blake Dilk, Briggs Carter, and Ruth and Esther Carter. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Lawrence and Edmond Gigerich, and her sisters Hilda Effinger, Eva Baurley, and Rosemary Owens. Mrs. Kieffer was a 1946 graduate of New Marion High School and was a former employee of the New Marion School. She was an excellent seamstress, loved gardening, cooking, baking, and had beautiful flower gardens. She loved spoiling her grandsons and baking them their favorite pies. Eileen was a lifelong member of the former St. Magdalene Catholic Church in New Marion and then became a member of the St. John Catholic Church in Osgood and attended as long as her health permitted. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 5 at the St. John Catholic Church in Osgood with Father Binu Mathew officiating. Burial will be in the St. Magdalene Cemetery at Madison. Memorials may be given to St. John’s Building Fund in care of the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home in Versailles.