O. Keith Hueftle

O. Keith Hueftle, age 95, of Evansville, Indiana passed away on Sunday, August 10, 2025. Born to second generation, pioneers in western Nebraska, Keith grew up in the little farming town of Eustis, Nebraska -– the youngest of the three children of Otto and Lydia (Kugler) Hueftle.

He grew up surrounded by large family groups on both his mother’s and his father’s side. Big family reunions of the Kuglers and the Hueftles happened several times a year -– usually in the big, tree-covered back yard of his Uncle Max. Life centered around the Methodist Church across the street; choir singing, Sunday School, and annual winter revival meetings. Music was also of central importance to the Hueftle clan -– playing instruments in the church orchestra, as well as for summertime festivals in the band stand, at the top of Main Street.

From age eleven on through college, Keith worked on the neighboring farms. In the springtime, hauling manure out of the barns; summertime harvesting, and the fall task of shucking corn. Keith enjoyed the camaraderie of the large, communal harvestgatherings, and witnessed the farming changes that occurred, post WWII, when combines were introduced, and group work became individualized.

In high school, Keith’s small school of four teachers allowed opportunities in some sports – track, basketball and 6-man football – though his not-yet-full stature kept him from getting much playing time. However, he excelled academically; and after graduation was glad to move on to four years at Nebraska Wesleyan for college. Post college, Keith took on assignments with the Quakers for a summer, working with the people of the Ozark Mountains. He then worked 15 months with a mental hospital, which was striving to give more-humane care for the residents. Both experiences continued to open his heart-desire for compassionate & just treatment of others. And then, once he went with the draft, he entered the Army Medical Corps and was sent to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC.

A faith crisis occurred in this phase of his life, resulting in Keith pulling away from the church. But, having access to a good library, Keith gradually began to read the saints. And in his spare time, he began to volunteer with neighborhood kids, under a man of great integrity. And one night... on one of his nightly walks... Keith entered a darkened Post chapel. There, in the quiet, he cried out to God, giving his life to Him, even though his understanding about Christ was still unclear.

After discharge, Keith landed in New York City, where he came to meet Dr. George MacLeod from Scotland, who led Keith to understand (for the first time) the reason for Jesus, and the reason for the Church. As a result, Keith entered seminary, and four years later, went to Scotland for a two-year internship with Dr. MacLeod’s Iona Community. With Keith's work in the Iona Community and at a church in Edinburgh, Keith met and married Elma Russell... the joy of his life.

With Elma, three months his bride, Keith returned to the U.S. for inter-racial work, in Detroit, Michigan –- first as a Pastor, then as a Math teacher in the inner-city schools. In both Detroit and Washington D.C., they joined the marches with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., all while Keith was busy assembling an organization of churches in Detroit’s east side, to address social and racial injustices in the city. Unbeknownst to Keith, this organization would become strategic during the Detroit Riots of 1967. And, with Elma’s gift of hospitality, their home became a focus for ministry –- a gathering place for neighborhood blacks and suburban whites. Their three children, Ben, Jennifer, andJonathan – all Detroit-born – were raised in this context.

Keith and Elma’s involvement in the community broadened even more as they got involved with the Cursillo movement –- raising up leadership for the Church. Many life difficulties and challenges were teaching Keith to not only trust God, but to love and fear Him, as well.

After 17 years in Detroit, they were called to southern Indiana, where Keith directed the Barn Abbey –- a conference center which later relocated to Evansville, as Barnabas Ministries. That ministry involved providing adult conferences for multiple churches, as well as ADVenture and Challenge weekends (for training young people into manhood and womanhood).

Time with family and grandkids was always a joy for both Keith and Elma. (Their grandkids include: Conner (Emma), Ryan and Cameron Reagan; Jonathan, Emily, Alec and Samuel Hueftle. And, one wee great-grand baby due in October.)

In his retirement, Keith's desire for connecting with people carried-on in his involvement in the community. He kept active by teaching at many three-day Christian conferences, writing materials for Barnabas Ministries, tutoring math at a nearby middle school, and caring for Elma in her final years. He also used this time to author a few books on the Hebrew word, kHesed, and one on Elma. But, ultimately, his joy was in initiating conversations with people, to get to know them better, and to connect with them in deeper ways about his faith in Christ.

In his final years at Evansville Protestant Home, Keith also reveled in connecting with residents and staff –- in activities, conversations, and in faith.

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

To God be the glory

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. (CDT) on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1811 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714. Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. (CDT) until service time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Evansville Protestant Home, 3701 Washington Ave, Evansville, IN 47714 or Samaritan's Purse, www.samaritanspurse.org.

Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.