Kieffner: 60 years of Freemasonry about ‘Friendship, morality, and brotherly love’

It’s hard for Eugene Kieffner not to tear up with emotion as he reflects on his 60 years with the Freemasons.

“I wouldn’t give it up for the world,” Mr. Kieffner says of his Masonic experience.

Mr. Kieffner’s introduction to the Freemasons occurred when he was a young boy and happened to notice his uncle Dennis Kieffner’s Masonic ring. “It stood out. It was shiny,” Mr. Kieffner said. “I said, ‘My you have a shiny ring.’”

His uncle looked at him and said, “Yeah, one of these days, I want you to wear one.”

The 83-year-old Haysville resident recently received the 50-year Past Master’s Award from the Grand Lodge of Indiana, a rare honor recognizing his decades of leadership and service.

Mr. Kieffner joined the Line Masonic Lodge in Jasper in 1965, the same year the current building was chartered. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the second person raised to Master Mason at the lodge’s altar. He’s served as Master for two terms–1975 and 1982–and has served as the Secretary for every other Master of the lodge except for one.

“There are very few people that live long enough to say they’ve been Past Master 50 years ago,” he explained “It’s kind of an honor.”

The Line Lodge, one of three Masonic lodges in Dubois County, currently has about 60 members. Mr. Kieffner sees his role as preserving history and inspiring a new generation of Masons.

The Freemasons’ commitment to community service is a point of pride for Mr. Kieffner. Along with scholarships, special events, and support of local events, they also provide support for fellow masons no matter where they are from.

He remembers one night at the Line Lodge when two unexpected visitors–one from England and another from Switzerland–walked into the lodge, exemplifying the worldwide brotherhood of Masons.

Despite the organization’s long history and traditions, Kieffner acknowledges that many people don’t understand what Freemasonry is about. He hopes to change that perception.

For Kieffner, the essence of Freemasonry can be distilled into three words: “Friendship, morality, and brotherly love.”

He believes these principles, if more widely adopted, could have a profound impact on society. “If 1 percent of the people outside the wall would take advantage of what goes on in this room, we wouldn’t have the trouble in the world that we have now,” he asserted.

“There is no place in the world that you can go that you don’t meet a Mason,” Mr. Kieffner said.

As Mr. Kieffner looks to the future, he sees an opportunity for the three Masonic lodges in Dubois County to work together to raise awareness about their history and ongoing community involvement.

Reflecting on his six decades of Masonic service, Kieffner’s passion for the organization remains undiminished. His eyes light up as he shares stories of past members, community projects, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood.

“It just makes you feel real good when you get a new member in,” Mr. Kieffner says. “You just make so many connections.”

For Eugene Kieffner, Freemasonry isn’t just an organization – it’s a way of life that has shaped his character, expanded his worldview, and given him a platform to serve his community for over half a century.

“I like to see happiness. I like to see people smile. That’s all part of Masonry,” he said.

Mr. Kieffner and his wife, Judy, have been married for 60 years and live in Haysville. They have two daughters, Tara Betz and Michelle Schmitt.

Source: