Susan J. (Phillips) Keiffer

03/01/1940 – 04/26/2022

Susan Keiffer, most recently of Belmont, MI, was released from her years of pain on April 26th, 2022, at her home in The Oaks of Belmont Senior Living Community. Susan was born to Richard and Annis Witters in Kalamazoo, MI on March 1st, 1940. She joined her older sister, Caryl, who preceded her in death in 2020. Susan was also preceded in death by her parents, as well as her much loved husband, Dave Keiffer. Her surviving family includes her son, Todd (Janine) Phillips, her daughter, Lisa Atkins, and her stepsons Scott (Debbie) Keiffer and Doug (Julie) Keiffer. Susan is also survived by eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Susan was a graduate of Kalamazoo Central HS (1958) and received her AA from Lansing Community College. Susan began her working life in Kalamazoo, starting in the Business Office at Michigan Bell Telephone Company. She married Kirk Phillips in 1960 and had her son, Todd, in 1961, followed by her daughter, Lisa, in 1963. Following her divorce from Kirk, she moved to Lansing, MI in 1968 and she remained a resident until 2021. Susan left Michigan Bell during her brief second marriage, but returned later to work for many years as a Yellow Pages salesperson for Ameritech, while raising her children as a single parent. Following her marriage in 1988 to “the love of her life,” Dave Keiffer, she left Ameritech and worked for Dr. Neiberg in his office as a receptionist. Susan had to retire early due to a rare lung condition, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP). In spite of her illness, she and Dave loved traveling and spent many enjoyable hours in their camper and motor home.

Sue had several life-long loves; these were her family, all dogs, and music. She was known for her quick wit and her keen sense of humor, which usually come out as a sarcastic remark or observation. She genuinely loved meeting new people and made friends wherever she went. She could remember the names of everyone who provided her care over the years and usually asked after their children or pets whenever she saw them. Susan embraced people and enjoyed learning about anyone new who entered her orbit, whether at one of the facilities where she lived (Great Lakes Christian Homes, The Willows of East Lansing, and The Oaks of Belmont) or in casual conversation at an appointment or meal out.

Susan’s Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 11th at 11:00 a.m. EDT at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, located at 2121 N. Cedar Street, Holt, MI 48842. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1709 E. Mt. Hope Ave., Lansing, MI 48910.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following causes: Capital Area Humane Society (https://www.cahs-lansing.org/); or The American Lung Association (https://action.lung.org/site/Donation)