Timothy Jason O'Keefe

Timothy Jason "TJ" O'Keefe, 54, passed away on May 10, 2026 from natural causes at home in Columbus, Ohio.

TJ was born June 4, 1971 in South Bend, Indiana as the first child of Timothy Lee O'Keefe and Janine Miller O'Keefe. He was raised in Mishawaka, Indiana. He graduated from Mishawaka High School on June 4, 1989. He moved to Columbus because of a career transfer.

As a child, he loved his big wheel, bicycle and his pet dog, Mr. Chips, also known as Chipper. His passions included StarTrek and StarWars, and Steven King novels. TJ also enjoyed sports. He played little league baseball, Michiana Soccer League and football. As an adult, he coached women's football teams in South Bend, Ft. Wayne, and Kalamazoo. He was an avid fan of the Columbus' professional soccer team, "The Crew." It was at the tailgate parties that he met and developed friendships.

He is survived by his mother, Janine O'Keefe, sister Heather O'Keefe Mawson, and two nieces Bethany and Brianna Mawson. Additional survivors include Uncles' Patrick (Linda) O'Keefe, Kevin (Cathy) O'Keefe and Shawn (Linda) and Aunt Colleen O'Keefe. Numerous relatives survive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Timothy Lee O'Keefe, grandmothers June Becker Miller and Mary Hawkins Durnan, and grandfather Arthur O'Keefe.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Timothy's life will be held Saturday June 27th, 2026, at St. Paul's Retirement Community Chapel, 3602 South Ironwood Drive, South Bend Indiana 46614. Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. Timothy was loved by many, and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the donors charity of choice in TJ's name.

May the force be with you as you soar across the Heavenly sky.