Obituary of Frederick Schafer III

Frederick P Schafer III, 88, died Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at his home in Easton. Born April 20, 1922 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, he was the son of Frederick P and Maud Anna (Van Kirk) Schafer Jr. He graduated from Caldwell High School in 1940 and attended Rutgers University for 1 ½ years until the he was notified he would be called-up for draft. He served in the Army Air force for 3 years where he served in 7 campaigns in the South Pacific including Philippines, New Guinea and other island operations. He was honorable discharged in 1945. He worked as a finish precision tool grinder after he returned home. He married Mary Lou Whelden in 10/4/1947 at Elm View, the Whelden family farm. Fulfilling his childhood dream, they bought a farm in Easton and have resided there for 63 years together. In addition to his responsibilities on the farm, he was also employed as a book keeper for the Washington county highway department for 19 years, where he retired in 1984. He was a member of the Bottskill Baptist Church since 1948. Fred was also a member of the VFW where he served as chaplain for a number of years. In Fred’s life his family always came first. Freddie spent many hours talking and playing with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed feeding his birds, playing chess, and spent countless hours in his garden. Fred was predeceased by his parents, and a brother Charles, also by a grandson Zachary Tillapaugh. He was the loving husband of Mary Lou (Whelden) Schafer. Also survived by; son Phillip (Kim) Schafer; daughter Cynthia (Charles) Decker; son Leith (Ann) Schafer; son David (Sherida) Schafer; daughter Mary (Stuart) Tillapaugh; son Fred Schafer IV; daughter Sally (Mark) Graziano; and son Thor Schafer. Grandchildren Shelton( Jessica), Bebbyn, Cullen Schafer; Brandon, Garrett Schafer; Meghan, Abigail, Hannah Tillapaugh; Madlyn, Delaney Schafer; Rebbekka, Whelden Graziano. Great grandchildren Logan, Rowyn Schafer. Friends may call Friday 4-8pm at the Flynn Brothers Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main Street, Greenwich, NY. Funeral services will be at 1pm Saturday February 12, at the Bottskill Baptist Church, 26 Church St., Greenwich, Rev. Sandra Spaulding officiating. A reception will follow at the church fellowship hall. Spring interment will be in the Greenwich Cemetery. Memorials can be made in his memory to the Bottskill Baptist Church, or the Easton- Greenwich Rescue Squad, Box 84, Greenwich, NY 12834.