11/30/2025
We are saddened to announce the death of Virginia Esther “Ginger” Kiffer, age 85, of Tionesta, PA, who died on Friday, November 28, 2025, at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, PA. From a farmer’s daughter to a pastor’s wife, sister, mother, grandmother, advisor and friend, Ginger loved her community and was always on the go.
Daughter of the late Lewis and Eleanor Mae (Wilbur) Van Ord Jr., Ginger was delivered at home by her father June 25, 1940. On July 5, 1958, at the Lander Methodist Church, she married Vane Kiffer, Jr. They served in the ministry together for many years as pastor and wife for the Mayburg Circuit as well as several other churches until he passed away June 8, 2004. Ginger served the church throughout her life teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and leading the Women’s Missionary Society. She was a member of the Kiffer Hill Free Methodist Church and the Townline Free Methodist Church.
Ginger loved to travel near and far, from visiting the Holy Land where she was baptized in the Jordan River to dog sledding in Alaska, she was always looking for the next adventure. She ventured through most all of the US National Parks, cruised the Panama Canal, visited Ireland, Europe, and Canada.
Surviving are three sons, Lewis S. Kiffer and his wife Debby of Starr, South Carolina; Nathan R. Kiffer and his wife Robin of Bath, Maine; Samuel E. Kiffer of Amissville, Virginia. Two daughters, Kimberly Ann Hessler and her husband Gary of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Natalie R. Allio and her husband Brian of Salida, Colorado. Eight grandchildren, Lewis Kiffer Jr. of Ivy, Georgia; Nathaniel Kiffer and his wife Stephanie of Virginia; Alaina Kiffer of Albany, New York; Amanda Onnen and her husband Skyler of Stewartsville, Missouri; Jamie Hessler of Florida; Cody Hessler of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Tristan Kiffer and Alexis Kiffer, both of Bath, Maine. Two great-grandchildren, Theresa Kiffer of Tennessee and Colton Onnen of Missouri. A sister, Cora Walter and her husband Frank of Vestal, New York. Several nieces and nephews. Her canine fur grandbaby, Molly.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by five brothers, Lewis George Van Ord; Stewart Raymond Van Ord; Howard Wilbur Van Ord; Ronald Leroy Van Ord; Claire Allen Van Ord in infancy.
Friends will be received at the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 1 PM at the funeral home with Pastor Howard L. Crawford officiating. Burial at Kiffer Hill Cemetery, Tionesta.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Townline Free Methodist Church 15451 RT 666 Tionesta PA 16353, or to the Kiffer Hill Free Methodist Church 309 Vane Lane Tionesta, PA 16353. Messages of sympathy may be left at www.wimerfuneralhome.com.
