Kenneth Joseph "Ken" LeFever, Sr.

Kenneth Joseph “Ken” LeFever, Sr., 71 of Circleville passed away surrounded by loved ones at Grant Medical Center on Friday, July 8, 2022. He was born April 16, 1951, in Lancaster to the late Les and Anna (Love) LeFever. He was a 1969 graduate of Lancaster High School. Ken is survived by his longtime companion Anne Munson and the mothers of his children, Margaret (David) Lemaster and Jewell (William) Poling.

After graduating high school, Ken worked for Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. for 27 years where he was an active member of the American Flint Glass Workers Union (AFGWU). In 1973, at the age of twenty-two, he was chosen to serve as a local union committeeman and became union vice president in 1977. He was elected as local union president in 1978 and held that office for 18 years. He served on the AFGWU National Executive Board and was elected National Union Representative in 1996. In 2003 the AFGWU merged with the United Steel Workers, and he still faithfully worked for the Steelworkers until the time of his death.

Ken was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and farming. His love of nature was an integral part of the way he raised his children. Family vacations were often centered around a camping trip or other outdoor activities. He enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. As he aged, Ken particularly became fond of attending ballgames, school plays, musicals, and awards ceremonies for his grandchildren.

Over the last several years, you could find Ken most mornings at the Crosstown Creamery enjoying his usual breakfast of coffee, two eggs over medium, and a pancake, discussing the latest news and sharing jokes with the usual cast of patrons and staff. Ken never met a stranger. He was kind to everyone he met and gave of himself freely to help whenever needed. His kindness and generosity were only exceeded by the unwavering love he had for his family. His children knew they could always count on him for sage advice, guidance, and reassuring words. He was patient kind and listened intently, all qualities that made him an amazing dad.

Ken is survived by his six children:  Michele (Vince) Messerly of Lancaster, Thomas (fiancée Jennifer Katterhenrich) of Lancaster, Melissa (John) Hopper of Amanda, Kenneth LeFever, Jr of Lancaster, Loretta (Vince) Sahr of Stoutsville, Jason (Amanda) LeFever of Louisa, Kentucky: grandchildren, Stephen, Sarah, Devin, Richie, Auzlynd, Keaton, Andy, K’Lee, Liberty, Haylee, Michael, David, Brittany, Loren, Vince II, Maxwell, Samuel, Trysten, Peyton, Khloe; great-grandchildren, Leah, Wesley, Colton, Wesley, BreAnn, Addie, Tori, Brantley, Rosilyn, Jaxon, Kiley, Levi, Jax, Makenna and Landon; brother, Richard (Cathy) LeFever of Lancaster, sister, Mary Willliams of Lancaster, sister-in-law Regina LeFever of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Labuel “Bud” and Eugene, brother-in-law Dennis Williams, and grandson Thomas Ryan LeFever.

Our dad will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He always said, “I have lived a wonderful life” and when “it is my time it is my time.” He gave selflessly of his time to his family and for that we are truly thankful.

Funeral Service will be held Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL, 405 N. COLUMBUS ST., LANCASTER, OHIO 43130 with Champlain Mark Linn officiating.  A live broadcast of the funeral service will be hosted on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory Facebook page. Caring Cremation® will follow.  Family and friends may visit Thursday from 1-3 & 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial gifts may be given to Fairhope Hospice, 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, Ohio 43130 in his memory.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.