Willa Ruth (Swindell) Rogers

Willa Ruth (Swindell) Rogers of Cynthiana, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on March 13, 2025. She was born on January 7, 1941, in Long County, Georgia, to the late Sam Jackson Swindell and Alma Louise (Barrow) Swindell. In 1958, she married William J. Kieffer Sr, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, a great American who honorably served in the U.S. Army while stationed in Georgia. They shared twenty-three years of marriage. Together, they had four children. Gary L. Kieffer (Kim) of Evansville Indiana, Vikki Warren (Bill) of Springfield, lIlinois, William J. Kieffer Jr. (Ann-Marie) of Elberfeld, Indiana, and Kelly L. Kieffer (Jennifer) of Newburgh, Indiana. Ruth had eighteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Ruth shared twenty-one years of marriage with her second husband, also a great American who honorably served in the U.S. Navy, James E. Rogers of Cynthiana, Indiana until his death in 2005. After James passed away Ruth would not have been able to continue to live in her home in Cynthiana had it not been for her great and loyal friend Jim Sheets of Cynthiana, Indiana. Jim was a God-send who did so much for her. Ruth often referred to Jim was her fifth child.

Ruth was the matriarch of the Kieffer family. She could easily be described as a Lionesses; no one could be fiercer and more protective of her family than her. Never has a mother lived that loved her family more than Ruth. Whether in person or on the phone every conversation ended with her saying, I love you at least ten times. If you were a friend or her family she loved you deeply. Ruth was so proud of the children she raised. She was a true leader and instilled toughness, confidence, leadership, love, loyalty, and the knowledge of hard work in each of her children. Ruth raised four very successful children each teaching their children the values she taught them. Ruth loved the Lord and had a long list of people she prayed for nightly.

She was a meticulous homemaker; Ruth took great pride in keeping a spotless house. Until the night of her passing there was furniture that had never been sat on. Sheepishly her children and grandchildren, with unknown risk decided to try it out while looking over their shoulders.

Ruth was like a magnet at gatherings, everyone wanted to be around her. She was known for her gift of gab and there were many debates by her family and friends about how she could talk so long without taking a breath. We will all miss those long-winded conversations with her and we look forward to the day we will join her and once again hear the words, I love you!!

Ruth also leaves behind a legacy of love with many other family members including her grandchildren, Allison (Ed) Coley, Alex Kieffer, Elisha (Jeremy) Thaxton, Daniel Warren, Ashley (Casey) Erickson, Connor Hammond (Jailyn Wilder), Andrew Hammond, William Kieffer III, Elliott Kieffer (Sydney Crane), Riley Kieffer, Gregory Loomis, Kristen (Josh) Jackson, Kaylee (Luke) Folz, and Korey Kieffer; great-grandchildren, Logan, Abigail, Cooper, Tripp, Lane, Dylan, Hunter, Gatlin, Easton, Noam, and Nias; sister Sandra (Fred) Helmuth; brother Roger (Janet) Swindell; and many other extended family members and friends.

She is preceded in death by her first husband of 23 years, William "Bill" Kieffer Sr.; her second husband of 21 years, James E. Rogers - whom she fondly referred to as her young love and her old love; infant granddaughters April Warren and Kristen Morea Kieffer; grandson, Jason Loomis; and siblings; Jane and Judy.

A memorial visitation to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Alexander Newburgh Chapel, 5333 State Road 261, Newburgh, IN. Per Ruth's wishes, she will be cremated.

Ruth's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all who loved and supported her throughout her life. Her beautiful spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Condolences may be offered online at AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.