Thomas Kiefer
Deacon Thomas J. Kiefer, 85, of Dayton, Tennessee, died on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Erlanger Medical Center after complications from multiple ailments.
He was born in Louisville, Ky., on Sept. 7, 1937. Tom’s early career took him away from his birthplace and hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to several small towns in Tennessee and Virginia as he worked in the manufacturing field with Oster/Sunbeam. He and his family moved to Dayton, Tennessee in 1968, where he was a founding member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church’s parish and was ordained into the first class of Deacons for the Diocese. He would continue to serve as a Deacon for St. Bridget’s for the remainder of his life. Tom and the family briefly moved away from Dayton, but he returned to Oster until becoming the founding Director of Rhea of Sunshine. In addition to his devotion to his family, he continued his devotion and service to others while at Rhea of Sunshine and at countless volunteer organizations.
Deacon Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Charles H. and Mary Elizabeth Kilcourse Kiefer, brother, Charles Kiefer, and wife, Mary Ann Kiefer.
Survivors include his children, David (Mitzi) Kiefer of Knoxville, Tn., Suzanne Kiefer of Dayton, Tn., and Christopher (Christine) Kiefer of Colorado Springs, Co.; grandchildren, Michael Petro, Elyssa (Jesse) Robbins, Sarah (Nicholas) LeRay, Shauna Mackey, Phillip Kiefer, and Christopher Kiefer.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 28, from 4-6 p.m. in Parish Hall at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Dayton, Tn. A reception will follow the visitation.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church with Father Jim Vick officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring City Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 106, Dayton, Tn. 37321 and Rhea County Animal Alliance, 9118 Back Valley Road, Evensville, Tn. 37332.
Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements of Deacon Thomas J. Kiefer and asks that friends share condolences and memories of her with the family on our website www.vaughn-funeral-home.com.