Keith L. Sawyer

Keith L. Sawyer, 75, of Mifflinburg, beloved husband, father, son, grandfather, and friend, passed away early Tuesday morning. He was born November 21, 1949, in Elmira, New York. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kim (Seebold) Sawyer; sons, Josh (Cara) of Lititz, and Russ (Tony) of Bloomsburg; daughters, Michelle Tovey (Mark) of Sunbury, and Nicole Gessner Klose (Josh) of Mifflinburg; and grandchildren Logan & Grayson Sawyer, Alexis Sawyer, Kylee & Keaton Tovey, & Aria Gessner; his loving mother, Jeannie Sawyer of Mifflinburg; and his in-laws, Don and Dottie Seebold of Mifflinburg.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gene; brother Glenn; and his son-in-law, Clayton Gessner.

Keith had many joys in a life well lived. He was happiest surrounded by his family spending time, supporting, and sharing stories with his wife, children, grandchildren, and beloved dogs Molli #1 and Molly #2.

Keith was a 1967 graduate of East Smithfield High School, and attended West Virginia University before enlisting in the Navy. After serving his country, he graduated from Williamsport Area Community College.

He worked and retired from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Lewisburg, and went on to teach at SUN VoTech, New Berlin, and he and his wife worked at Milton Hershey School as respite parents. During that time, he was active in refereeing and coaching youth to high school soccer for 25 years.

Keith was an avid fisherman, hunter, and enjoyed taking vacations and fishing trips to Canada. He led and attended over 20 mission trips as the ‘tool man’ and site manager.

He was an active member and served on the church council at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mifflinburg.

Always a dedicated and lifelong fan of Pennsylvania sports, he had a strong tie with Penn State football, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. You could catch him watching sports year around and hear him celebrating or yelling depending on the game.

If something needed built or fixed, Keith was the man to do it. Just be ready to run for tools out of reach and be sure to hold the flashlight at the proper angle.

Later in life, Keith tended to his “driveway garden” growing a bounty to feed the whole community and spent time building airplanes and watching his grandchildren play sports.

Keith lived a full life and was generous with his love, time, and talents to all.

Family and friends are welcome from 1 to 2 p.m., Friday, April 11, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 Market St., Mifflinburg, where the funeral will be conducted at 2, with Rev. Curt Wingert and Rev. John Yost, officiating.

Burial will be in the Mifflinburg Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 410 and VFW Post 1964, both of Mifflinburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Camp Koala, 94 Chestnut St, Mifflinburg, PA 17844, https://www.campkoala.org/donate.

Arrangements are by Roupp Funeral Home Inc., 8594 Old Turnpike Road, Mifflinburg.

Leave your condolences online at www.rouppfuneralhome.com.