Delbert E. Schafer
Delbert E. Schafer, 99 years, 7 months and 8 days old, of Bloomfield went home to be with his Lord and Savior and to join his sweetheart, Midge, at 4:25 am on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at his home.
He was born on July 13, 1910, at Rinard Mills to Walter Elsworth Schafer and Elizabeth Mary Ullman Schafer. In his early years with his 1936 Ford Truck, he transported coal, cattle and helped relocate families in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Michigan. He helped build the Bloomfield High School in 1929. Following the death of his father in 1942, he took over the operations of Schafer General Store at Bloomfield, which he continued to operate until his death.
He was an active member of Bloomfield United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School teacher and superintendent, was a member of Ludlow Community Club and was honored by Fleda as Citizen of the Year and then in 2009 was presented the Centennial Award honoring his upcoming 100th birthday, and was a member of Senior Citizens at New Matamoras.
Delbert was a practical joker and story teller, liked to rabbit hunt, gardening, nature walks, church functions, fish fries, fellowship with friends and neighbors, but most of all he enjoyed his family.
On April 28, 1934, he married Mildred Leona Graham who preceded him in death on April 8, 1989. He is survived by 2 daughters: Naomi Ruth Scott of Canton, OH and Leona Jane Weckbacher of Marietta; 9 grandchildren: Jeff (Cindy) Scott and Tracy (Tammy) Scott both of Canton, Cindy (Rick) Harpin of Virginia Beach, Brent (Kathy) Weckbacher and Beth Ann (Roy) Marshall both of Bloomfield, Lorraine (Don) Howell of Wingett Run, Todd (Kristy) Weckbacher and Cheryl (Tom) Handschumaker both of Marietta, Tina (Dan) VanWey of Newport. Also surviving are 17 great grandchildren: Marc, Kurtus, Aaron, Adam, Ross, Hillary, Faith, Madison, Joel, Jacob, Zachary, Rachael, Ryan, Caitlin, Sam, Nathan, Elizabeth, and 2 great, great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, Randy & Scotty Weckbacher, 2 sons-in-law, Guy Scott and Mark Weckbacher, 3 brothers and 2 sisters: Lawrence, Wayne, and Ralph Schafer, Rena Ullman and Audrey Schafer.
The family would like to give special thanks to Interim Health Care, Brent Weckbacher, Roy Bowersock, Lorraine Howell and Little Muskingum Fire Department.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday (February 25th) at 1:00 pm at Bloomfield United Methodist Church at Bloomfield, Ohio with Reverend Richard Wilson and Reverend Madlynne Weber officiating. Burial will be in Bloomfield Cemetery. Friends may call at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home beginning on Tuesday after 2:00 pm and all day Wednesday. At his request, on Thursday Mr. Schafer will be taken to his home from 9 until 11 and then to the church at 12:00 noon.
Memorial contributions may be sent to: Bloomfield United Methodist Church, c/o Lorraine Howell, 695 Scottown Road, Wingett Run, OH 45789, or Little Muskingum Volunteer Fire Depart, 15015 St. Rt. 26, Marietta, OH 45750 or Ludlow Community Club, c/o Millie Edwards, 23811 St. Rt. 26, Rinard Mills, OH 45767.