George Crozier Kieffer

George Crozier Kieffer, 84, of Rock Island, Illinois passed away unexpectedly at UPH-Trinity, Rock Island, surrounded by his family.  Services will be 11 am Friday, July 1, 2016 at South Park Presbyterian Church, Rock Island. Burial at the National Cemetery, Rock Island, Illinois (Arsenal Island).  Visitation is 4 to 7 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island. Memorials may be made to the Friends of Hauberg Civic Center or South Park  Presbyterian Church.

George Crozier Kieffer was born on May 25, 1932, to George Crozier Kieffer, Sr. and Theola E. Ballou Kieffer in Moline, Illinois. George was a proud alumnus of Audubon Grade School, Washington Junior High and Rock Island High School (Class of 1950).

He proudly served in the United State’s Navy from 1950 to 1957. As a true patriot, he always believed in love and service to country.

George owned Artistic Improvement, Inc., while He and Marilyn raised their two daughters.  At the time, both he and his brother John chose to raise their families living in the Audubon/Hauberg neighborhood. George and Theola’s home was often the meeting place for the family especially on Sundays, living one block from South Park Presbyterian Church.  He then turned to his real love of art making it his vocation and avocation. George was a Master Decoy Carver and Wildlife painter.

George had a love of the great outdoors all his life.  It was his passion.  As a conservationist, in 1986 purchased a farm in Missouri. The Des Moines River Farm was a hunting preserve and full of history.  George and our family enjoyed weekends, holidays and especially the 4th of July and firework celebrations.  Nothing pleased all visitors more than hunting for geodes and walking the creek for hours.   He also enjoyed driving his octogenarian mother on a four wheeler around the farm, so she could see the beauty of all the nature

Each Spring and Fall fellow hunters and friends would join him during turkey and deer season.  His nephew, Matthew Kieffer, shot his first buck on that farm. Ponds and a Big Lake were built, stocked with fish, and serving as a prime swimming hole. 

Left to carry his story are his wife, Marilyn (Dewulf) Kieffer, daughters Lisa (Michael) Kieffer-Haverkamp, granddaughters Rowan and Laurel Haverkamp, Iowa City, Iowa.  Lori Kieffer-Garrison (Matthew L. Garrison), grandson Atticus Garrison, Rock Island, Illinois.  brother John Kieffer (Meri), nephews Kevin Kieffer and  Jason Kieffer, Macomb, Illinois.  Sister Anne Meyer, Sycamore, Illinois.  Nephew Kirk (Kitty) C. Oliver, Sacramento, California. Grand nephews Daniel (Mary Kate) Oliver, Boston, MA, Thomas C. Oliver, Berkeley, CA and grand niece Ruth Y. Oliver, New York, NY.  In addition to many other loving nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents George and  Theola Kieffer, sister Elizabeth Oliver and  nephew Matthew Scott Kieffer.

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