Obituary of James Arthur Kieffer

Age 94, Chemung County Historian and Bell Ringer, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2014. Art was born in Elmira on March 27, 1921, a son of Frances (Manning) and Joseph J. Kieffer. He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Sophie Kieffer on May 7, 2013. Art is survived by his son James A. Kieffer of Nashua NH; daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Harold Owens of Horseheads; grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Brendan Kieffer; sister-in-law Mary Kieffer of Canandaigua NY; along with several nieces and a nephew. Art was a proud U S Army Air Force veteran serving during WWII. He was a tail gunner on a B24 Bomber in the 459 Bomb Group, 756 Squad. His military service earned him the Air Medal and the EAME Medal with 4 Bronze Stars. Art was a Mason Superintendent for Streeter Associaties, participating in many area building projects including Notre Dame High School, St. Charles Borromeo Church, Pennsylvania Ave. Methodist Church along with 27 educational facilities, 42 factory building, 3 hospitals, 4 office centers and 2 shopping malls. In 1966 he was appointed Chemung County Building Superintendent. It was under his stewardship the County Health Center, John Hazlett Administration Building, Legislature, Supreme Court Building, Steele Memorial Library, and branches, Harris Hill, Park Station and the Human Resources Building were developed. He retired in 1983. A true public servant Art was a member of the Chemung County Board of Supervisors from 1962-65, Chairman of the Chemung County Bicentennial Commission, Chairman of the Chemung County Sesquicentennial Commission, founder and Past President of the Chemung County CYO, Past President of the Chemung County Agricultural Society, Past President of the Elmira Rotary Club, Past President of the Elmira Bricklayers, Plasters and Mason, he was a union member for over 60 years belonging to Local #23 in Elmira and #8 in Ithaca, director of Tanglewood Nature Center, served as secretary for Catholic Family Service, trustee and one of the founders of the National Soaring Museum, director of St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery Commission, served on the BOCES Research Committee, Gannett Scholarship committee, Boy Scout Advisory Board and was past 2nd Vice President of the American Dahlia Society. Art was also an active member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elmira Elks, White Eagles, St. Casimir's Recreation Club, Laymen's Retreat League, American Bell Association, NYS Historians, Chemung County Historical Society, Historical Societies of Horseheads, Big Flats, Ashland, Veteran, Catlin and the Association of Public Historians of the State of New York. Awards that he received were the Mission Cross from Bishop Kearney, the Boy Scout St. George Emblem, induction into the Elmira Sports Hall of Fame, Elmira Community Builder, Elmira Catholic Family Service, WENY Recognition, Chemung County Appreciation, CYO Board of Directors, Construction Industry Exchange Distinguish Service, Elmira Rotary 4-way test and the Paul Harris Fellow. In his spare time Art grew dahlias and was recognized as both a grower and hybridizer. He won major prizes in national shows and introduced new seedlings which have been listed in the national rankings. In 2002 Art was awarded the American Dahlia Society Gold Medal for services to the ADS. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Monday, July 6, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held there on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Charles Borromeo Church. Interment, with committal prayers and military honors, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Art with a donation to the Chemung County Historical Society, 415 E. Water Street, Elmira NY 14901.