SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County lost a businessman, community leader and friend all at once Thursday.

Allen “Butch” Webb Kieffer Sr. died at the age of 73. The former Springfield City Council member was the owner of Kieffer Construction Company.

“Butch never met a stranger and had a personality that, if you met him, you never forgot,” said Brett Bennett, Springfield city manager. “He was always smiling and loved to make others smile. He was very passionate about the things important to him including his community, his church (Springfield United Methodist), and, most importantly, his family.

“He was always very proud of his boys and when he talked about his grandkids, you knew  they meant the world to him.”

Survivors include his wife, Virginia “Ginger” Sheffield Kieffer; his sons, Allen Kieffer, Jr. (Shelba), Scott Kieffer (Stacey), and Matt Kieffer (Sara); grandchildren, Christopher, Allison, Candace, Morgan, Carlee, Pierce, and Mallory; sisters, Carolyn Conaway and Rosanne Brant (Greg); sister-in-law, Mary Kieffer; and several nieces and nephews. Effingham Health System was also a vital part of Kieffer’s life.

“Mr. Kieffer has always been a man of integrity, with commitment to his community, including serving on our Effingham Hospital Authority twice — for a total of twelve years,” said Ann Yarbrough, Hospital Authority chairman. “He has been such a kind and special community leader that in 2013 we named our new community meeting space, Kieffer Hall, in his honor.”

Kieffer’s funeral was conducted Monday at Springfield United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to New Ebenezer Retreat Center, 2887 Ebenezer Road, Rincon, Ga. 31326.