Second of six children born to George Herman Schafer, Sr., and Ora Narcissus (nee Faith) Schafer. Menard County, Illinois area provided the setting for his rearing into an adult. He attended Petersburg, Menard, IL schools.
Enlisted in the United States Navy on April 16, 1942. Later enlisted in the United States Army, thereafter the United States Air Force where he spent to the majority of his service time. Was honorably discharged and retired on November 17, 1966. Total years of enlisted service was 23 years, 7 months and 8 days. His area of expertise was as metal processing supervisor and plater. Recipient of a Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and decorated in various other areas, an example being awarded as a Small Arms Expert Marksman.
After military retirement, he went to work for Nielsen Industries, Inc., in Phoenix, AZ who constructed dairies, feedlots and related industry products. Later worked for Air Services International's fabrication department at both their Chandler and Scottsdale, AZ airport locations. Also ran his own mobile welding business. Spent many years helping his dear friend retired Lt. Col. Leland R. Kirk with his crop dusting company that was located at the Chandler, AZ airport. He also spent many years with his other dear friend Cecil Merrill Noel at Cecil's well drilling shop and yard doing whatever the two retired gentlemen cared to do, including cleaning up rusty old bolts on a grinder's wire wheel, and when they were content for the day, went to lunch.
He cared about those in the communities near his home who were less fortunate than others. He delivered day-old bread and other outdated commodities that were still usable, but no longer saleable at retail to area food banks and gave products directly to people that he knew could use them. He had been a child of the Great Depression and seen value in all things and discarded nothing if it had a possible value of re-use.
Had the biggest, largest most gentle heart when it came to children. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. Taught his son Greg to become a welder and fabricator, and Greg later took over George's mobile welding business.
When living in rural Chandler, he enjoyed working with his son Greg in raising dairy heifers, bull calves, steers, goats, turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens.
Every night after dinner would sit in his rocker, with his miniature poodle Fifi, who shared his rocker with him, by the fireplace, watching television and eating an over-filled bowl of ice cream as he did nearly daily for countless years.
Moved from Vandenburg AFB, CA, upon his return from his last overseas station at Kadenda AFB In Okinawa Prefecture, Japan to Phoenix, AZ in November 1966. Moved to Chandler, AZ in February 1974. Final move was to Gilbert, AZ in February 1984.
Married Mary Louise (nee Allison) on September 4, 1947 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY. Divorced on January 6, 1949 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY.
Married Violet Mae "Vi" (nee Barndt) Stevens Schafer on June 30, 1951 in Chandler, Maricopa, AZ. Divorced February 17, 1959 in Lincoln, Lancaster, NE.
Married Mary Ann (nee Ulmer) Schafer on August 17, 1959 in Petersburg, Menard, IL. Married just shy of thirty years upon his death.
One son, Gregory Jay Schafer.
He was known to be kind and gentle man and who cared about the well-being of others. Was predeceased by his parents, sister Bebe Mae Emma (Schafer) Ames, baby brother Paul LaVerne Schafer, sister Barbara Jean (Schafer) Cirigliano and baby brother Boy Schafer.
Enlisted in the United States Navy on April 16, 1942. Later enlisted in the United States Army, thereafter the United States Air Force where he spent to the majority of his service time. Was honorably discharged and retired on November 17, 1966. Total years of enlisted service was 23 years, 7 months and 8 days. His area of expertise was as metal processing supervisor and plater. Recipient of a Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and decorated in various other areas, an example being awarded as a Small Arms Expert Marksman.
After military retirement, he went to work for Nielsen Industries, Inc., in Phoenix, AZ who constructed dairies, feedlots and related industry products. Later worked for Air Services International's fabrication department at both their Chandler and Scottsdale, AZ airport locations. Also ran his own mobile welding business. Spent many years helping his dear friend retired Lt. Col. Leland R. Kirk with his crop dusting company that was located at the Chandler, AZ airport. He also spent many years with his other dear friend Cecil Merrill Noel at Cecil's well drilling shop and yard doing whatever the two retired gentlemen cared to do, including cleaning up rusty old bolts on a grinder's wire wheel, and when they were content for the day, went to lunch.
He cared about those in the communities near his home who were less fortunate than others. He delivered day-old bread and other outdated commodities that were still usable, but no longer saleable at retail to area food banks and gave products directly to people that he knew could use them. He had been a child of the Great Depression and seen value in all things and discarded nothing if it had a possible value of re-use.
Had the biggest, largest most gentle heart when it came to children. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. Taught his son Greg to become a welder and fabricator, and Greg later took over George's mobile welding business.
When living in rural Chandler, he enjoyed working with his son Greg in raising dairy heifers, bull calves, steers, goats, turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens.
Every night after dinner would sit in his rocker, with his miniature poodle Fifi, who shared his rocker with him, by the fireplace, watching television and eating an over-filled bowl of ice cream as he did nearly daily for countless years.
Moved from Vandenburg AFB, CA, upon his return from his last overseas station at Kadenda AFB In Okinawa Prefecture, Japan to Phoenix, AZ in November 1966. Moved to Chandler, AZ in February 1974. Final move was to Gilbert, AZ in February 1984.
Married Mary Louise (nee Allison) on September 4, 1947 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY. Divorced on January 6, 1949 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY.
Married Violet Mae "Vi" (nee Barndt) Stevens Schafer on June 30, 1951 in Chandler, Maricopa, AZ. Divorced February 17, 1959 in Lincoln, Lancaster, NE.
Married Mary Ann (nee Ulmer) Schafer on August 17, 1959 in Petersburg, Menard, IL. Married just shy of thirty years upon his death.
One son, Gregory Jay Schafer.
He was known to be kind and gentle man and who cared about the well-being of others. Was predeceased by his parents, sister Bebe Mae Emma (Schafer) Ames, baby brother Paul LaVerne Schafer, sister Barbara Jean (Schafer) Cirigliano and baby brother Boy Schafer.
Second of six children born to George Herman Schafer, Sr., and Ora Narcissus (nee Faith) Schafer. Menard County, Illinois area provided the setting for his rearing into an adult. He attended Petersburg, Menard, IL schools.
Enlisted in the United States Navy on April 16, 1942. Later enlisted in the United States Army, thereafter the United States Air Force where he spent to the majority of his service time. Was honorably discharged and retired on November 17, 1966. Total years of enlisted service was 23 years, 7 months and 8 days. His area of expertise was as metal processing supervisor and plater. Recipient of a Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and decorated in various other areas, an example being awarded as a Small Arms Expert Marksman.
After military retirement, he went to work for Nielsen Industries, Inc., in Phoenix, AZ who constructed dairies, feedlots and related industry products. Later worked for Air Services International's fabrication department at both their Chandler and Scottsdale, AZ airport locations. Also ran his own mobile welding business. Spent many years helping his dear friend retired Lt. Col. Leland R. Kirk with his crop dusting company that was located at the Chandler, AZ airport. He also spent many years with his other dear friend Cecil Merrill Noel at Cecil's well drilling shop and yard doing whatever the two retired gentlemen cared to do, including cleaning up rusty old bolts on a grinder's wire wheel, and when they were content for the day, went to lunch.
He cared about those in the communities near his home who were less fortunate than others. He delivered day-old bread and other outdated commodities that were still usable, but no longer saleable at retail to area food banks and gave products directly to people that he knew could use them. He had been a child of the Great Depression and seen value in all things and discarded nothing if it had a possible value of re-use.
Had the biggest, largest most gentle heart when it came to children. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. Taught his son Greg to become a welder and fabricator, and Greg later took over George's mobile welding business.
When living in rural Chandler, he enjoyed working with his son Greg in raising dairy heifers, bull calves, steers, goats, turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens.
Every night after dinner would sit in his rocker, with his miniature poodle Fifi, who shared his rocker with him, by the fireplace, watching television and eating an over-filled bowl of ice cream as he did nearly daily for countless years.
Moved from Vandenburg AFB, CA, upon his return from his last overseas station at Kadenda AFB In Okinawa Prefecture, Japan to Phoenix, AZ in November 1966. Moved to Chandler, AZ in February 1974. Final move was to Gilbert, AZ in February 1984.
Married Mary Louise (nee Allison) on September 4, 1947 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY. Divorced on January 6, 1949 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY.
Married Violet Mae "Vi" (nee Barndt) Stevens Schafer on June 30, 1951 in Chandler, Maricopa, AZ. Divorced February 17, 1959 in Lincoln, Lancaster, NE.
Married Mary Ann (nee Ulmer) Schafer on August 17, 1959 in Petersburg, Menard, IL. Married just shy of thirty years upon his death.
One son, Gregory Jay Schafer.
He was known to be kind and gentle man and who cared about the well-being of others. Was predeceased by his parents, sister Bebe Mae Emma (Schafer) Ames, baby brother Paul LaVerne Schafer, sister Barbara Jean (Schafer) Cirigliano and baby brother Boy Schafer.
Enlisted in the United States Navy on April 16, 1942. Later enlisted in the United States Army, thereafter the United States Air Force where he spent to the majority of his service time. Was honorably discharged and retired on November 17, 1966. Total years of enlisted service was 23 years, 7 months and 8 days. His area of expertise was as metal processing supervisor and plater. Recipient of a Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and decorated in various other areas, an example being awarded as a Small Arms Expert Marksman.
After military retirement, he went to work for Nielsen Industries, Inc., in Phoenix, AZ who constructed dairies, feedlots and related industry products. Later worked for Air Services International's fabrication department at both their Chandler and Scottsdale, AZ airport locations. Also ran his own mobile welding business. Spent many years helping his dear friend retired Lt. Col. Leland R. Kirk with his crop dusting company that was located at the Chandler, AZ airport. He also spent many years with his other dear friend Cecil Merrill Noel at Cecil's well drilling shop and yard doing whatever the two retired gentlemen cared to do, including cleaning up rusty old bolts on a grinder's wire wheel, and when they were content for the day, went to lunch.
He cared about those in the communities near his home who were less fortunate than others. He delivered day-old bread and other outdated commodities that were still usable, but no longer saleable at retail to area food banks and gave products directly to people that he knew could use them. He had been a child of the Great Depression and seen value in all things and discarded nothing if it had a possible value of re-use.
Had the biggest, largest most gentle heart when it came to children. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. Taught his son Greg to become a welder and fabricator, and Greg later took over George's mobile welding business.
When living in rural Chandler, he enjoyed working with his son Greg in raising dairy heifers, bull calves, steers, goats, turkeys, ducks, geese and chickens.
Every night after dinner would sit in his rocker, with his miniature poodle Fifi, who shared his rocker with him, by the fireplace, watching television and eating an over-filled bowl of ice cream as he did nearly daily for countless years.
Moved from Vandenburg AFB, CA, upon his return from his last overseas station at Kadenda AFB In Okinawa Prefecture, Japan to Phoenix, AZ in November 1966. Moved to Chandler, AZ in February 1974. Final move was to Gilbert, AZ in February 1984.
Married Mary Louise (nee Allison) on September 4, 1947 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY. Divorced on January 6, 1949 in Cheyenne, Laramie, WY.
Married Violet Mae "Vi" (nee Barndt) Stevens Schafer on June 30, 1951 in Chandler, Maricopa, AZ. Divorced February 17, 1959 in Lincoln, Lancaster, NE.
Married Mary Ann (nee Ulmer) Schafer on August 17, 1959 in Petersburg, Menard, IL. Married just shy of thirty years upon his death.
One son, Gregory Jay Schafer.
He was known to be kind and gentle man and who cared about the well-being of others. Was predeceased by his parents, sister Bebe Mae Emma (Schafer) Ames, baby brother Paul LaVerne Schafer, sister Barbara Jean (Schafer) Cirigliano and baby brother Boy Schafer.
Inscription
US Army US Navy US Air Force World War II
