Keith Lee Rychener, 73, of Defiance, passed away on  Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Valencia Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lakeland, Florida.

He was born on August 25, 1944 to  Lawrence and Irene (Murphy) Rychener in Pettisville, OH. Keith was a proud Army veteran who served our country in Korea during the Vietnam War. Keith was a member of the Tontogany American Legion Post #441 and the Defiance AMVETS.  On December 3, 1966 he married Cheryl Rychener, who resides in Defiance.

Keith was a lifelong fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns. One of his favorite daily routines was meeting his friends at Biggby's Coffee and then heading to Applebee's for a Pepsi for lunch.

Keith will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 51 years, Cheryl Rychener, daughters, Suzette (Michael) Yost of Dayton, OH, Stacey Rychener of Toledo, OH, brother Doug (Aris) Rychener of Jerome, MI, mother-in-law, Lucille Conrad of Bowling Green, OH, and his nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Brock Rychener.

Visitation will be held from 2-5:30 pm on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A Memorial Service will immediately follow at 5:30 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home, with Deb Miller officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Tontogany American Legion Post #441 in Tontogany, OH, or Friends of Felines Rescue Center in Defiance. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.