Obit: Schafer, John (1857 - 1936)

Contact:  Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: SCHAFER GIEBEL SPENGLER GERVUE JEWELL CROWELL

----Sources: WEEKLY CLARION (Dorchester, Clark Co., WI) 20 Nov 1936

Schafer, John (26 SEP 1857 - 16 NOV 1936)

Dorchester friends were saddened Tuesday to learn of the death of John Schafer, who passed away suddenly Monday evening at 9:30. Later Monday afternoon Mr. Schafer had fallen outside his home and although he complained of a bruise side and headache, he seemed to suffer no serious effects. Death was attributed to apoplexy cause by the shock of the fall. Although Mr. Schafer had been in ill health for some time, the past few months he had been feeling very well and his death came as a great shock to the community.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and at 2 o’clock from the Salem Evangelical Church with the Rev. J.M. Le Count officiating. Two songs, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and "In the Garden" were sung by a quartet composed of Misses Phyllis Schief, Ethel Krause, Hazel Pickett and Carol Ockerlander. Interment took place a the Dorchester Memorial Cemetery with Joseph Kronschnabl, Dick Mead, John Plier, John Buehrens, Andrew Sorenson and A.P. Miller acting as pallbearers.

John Schafer was born at Dale, the son of Elizabeth Giebel and Peter Schafer, on Sept. 26, 1857 and was 79 years, 1 month and 21 days old at time of death.

He grew to young manhood there and came to Dorchester in 1883. On Dec 3, 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Spengler at Medina, Wis., and the young couple came to Dorchester to make their home. Two years ago Mr. and Mrs. Schafer, who have been Dorchester residents for 52 years, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Engaged in several business enterprises in Dorchester at various times, Mr. Schafer retired from active work about forty years ago.

Five children were born to them, one daughter, Sylvia, Mrs. O.W. Garvue, and one son, Walter, preceded Mrs. Chafer in death. Walter passed away in August of 1920 and Mrs. Garvue in September of 1924. Three sons, Erwin P. Schafer and Lloyd P. Schafer of Hibbing, Minn., and Forest H. Schafer of Marion, survive. Mr. Schafer also leaves three grandchildren, Miss Maxine and Walter Garvue of Marshfield, and Marvin L. Schafer of Hibbing; two sisters, Mrs. Carrie Jewell of Antigo and Mrs. Kate Crowell of Scarsdale, N.Y., and one brother, William Schafer of Cedar.

One of the oldest living residents of Dorchester, his quiet good humor made Mr. Schafer a much honored and loved member of the community and the many friends of the family join us in offering deepest sympathy to the family.