Calvin James Kiffer, 72 of Oden, passed away Saturday, June, 2, 2020 overlooking his beloved Little Traverse Bay, at McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey. He was known throughout his life as “Smokey”, a name given to him by his mother at birth. Born in Petoskey on May 15, 1948 he was the son of Calvin Jesse and Pauline Virginia (Cocklin) Kiffer. Smokey was a driver, working with moving companies as a young man and running a magazine delivery route before retirement. He enjoyed that job and the folks he would visit on his route, swapping a joke at each store and bringing them home.

Smokey was a diehard Michigan football, Detroit Tigers and Ernie Harwell fan. He cherished music and literature. He never missed a moment to appreciate natural beauty, dragging his daughters on road trips across the nation to see sights, noting sunsets, fall colors, northern lights and the like. He was an avid mushroom and stone hunter. Smokey highly valued learning and was a sponge for information; he admired people that shared in that pursuit, and enjoyed long conversations with them.

Smokey is survived by his daughters, Abby Kiffer Baldini of Montrose, CO, Pauline Rene Gardner of Peyton, CO and Laura Leigh Siivola of Scottsdale AZ; grandchildren, Ada Macil Gardner and Kiffer William Gardner both of Peyton, CO; and sisters, Judy Lynn Sear of San Juan Island, WA and Candy Kiffer Hiller of Ann Arbor, MI. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Calvin Jesse and Pauline Virginia Kiffer of Petoskey, MI. In keeping with his wishes, his family will remember him privately.

Expressions of love will be happily received by Abby and Pauline at 7750 N. Meridian Road, Peyton CO 80831.