Thomas Joseph Keefer

Tom was born October 23, 1939, in Springfield, Ohio, to Harry H. and Madeline R. (Allen) Keefer, and grew up in River Forest, IL. He graduated from Fenwick High School and went on to the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and enrolled in the Naval ROTC program.

Upon graduation, Tom served in active duty in the Navy in San Diego and Detroit, and then continued his service in the Navy Reserve while earning his MBA from the University of Chicago.

Tom met his wife Sue Owens at the University of Illinois, and they married in 1961. They settled in Arlington Heights where they raised their three children. Sue died in August 2019, after 58 years of marriage.

Tom was a longtime member of Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights, the school where his wife Sue taught for almost 30 years. Tom sang tenor in the Wayside choir for many years and loved bowling and playing basketball and golf in the OLW men’s leagues. Later in life, reading and tinkering with his computer became his passions. He was a big believer in persistence, echoing his father’s constant advice to, “Keep in there pitchin’.”

Tom is survived by his children, Don [Laura], Kristin, and Stephen [Marianne]; four grandchildren, Ryan, Jenna, Hannah and Colin; his sister, Sue [late Paul] Stahr. Tom was uncle to several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Keefer, nee Owens, his parents, Harry H. and Madeline R., nee Allen.

Visitation and funeral mass at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church is being planned for later in the year. Announcement to follow.