Anthony Wayne Keefer
formerly of Vanderbilt
Anthony Wayne Keefer passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born at home on the Paul Farm near Vanderbilt July 24, 1945, the son of John B. Keefer and Iva M. Wingrove Goswick Keefer.
He was predeceased by his parents; three brothers, Phillip, Kenneth and Rudolph; and sisters, Sylvia Fox, Sally Kerkel and Virginia Keefer.
Anthony is survived by his wife, Barbara Goodwin Keefer, to whom he was married for 58 years; nieces, Dr. Katherine Brown of LaMesa, Calif., and Suzette Kolashinski of Mt. Pleasant; plus other nieces and nephews.
Anthony graduated from Dunbar High School in 1963 and from California State College in 1967. He received a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University in 1975. In addition, he completed work at Bethany College in Bethany, W.Va. and Wheeling Jesuit College in Wheeling, W.Va. as part of the National Endowment for the Humanities grant.
Tony taught Spanish and French for 30 years at Connellsville Area High School, then taught at Westmoreland County Community College. He completed his educational career as a professor at California University of Pennsylvania.
He was a charter member, past president, and life member of Connellsville Area Historical Society, a life member of the Bullskin Township Historical Society, and a life member of the Dunbar Township Historical Society. He was a member and past officer of the General Arthur St. Clair Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; Connellsville Elks #503; a 50-year member of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 346 Free and Accepted Masons; the Uniontown Lodge of Perfection; the Consistory Valley of Pittsburgh, Connellsville Royal Arch Chapter No. 283; Comas Club; and Syria Shrine of Pittsburgh. Tony was also a member of the Dawson- Vanderbilt Lions and belonged to St. Andrew’s Society of Pittsburgh. Tony sang with the Connellsville Choir and the Greater Uniontown Chorale for many years.
Tony attended St. Bartholomew’s Trinity Episcopal Church in Scottdale.
He was an avid traveler. Along with his wife, he traveled to over 130 countries. In recent years, he and his wife rented apartments for extended stays in different countries, particularly in Mexico, Italy, Ecuador, and Honduras. Tony enjoyed family history research, was an avid gardener and reader, and was a collector of local antiques, glassware and postcards.
Friends will be received by the family in the VITO C. MARTUCCI FUNERAL HOME LLC, 123 South First Street, Connellsville, from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 20. Due to Tony’s wish to be cremated immediately after his death there will be no viewing. There will, however, be a Masonic Funeral Service at 6 p.m. followed immediately by a Service of Commendation and Committal by the Reverend Deacon Cynthia Gainer and the Rev. Joseph Wingrove. A private burial at Mt. Moriah Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations, in Tony’s name, to one’s favorite charity.
To sign the guest registry, please visit www.martuccifuneralhome.com