Russell Lloyd Schafer

Russell Lloyd Schafer age 89, of Fairfield, Iowa passed away Sunday December 23, 2012 at his home.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 27, 2012 at Behner Funeral Home with words of comfort by Pastor Dave Peterson and Ron Rominger. Burial with military rites will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday December 27, 2012 prior to the funeral service at Behner Funeral Home.

Memorials can be made to VFW Ladies Auxiliary (VA Hospital Fund) or to Wounded Warriors Project. Cards and memorials can be sent to 2253 Hwy 34 East Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Russell L. Schafer was born July 28, 1923 to Walter F. and Retta Caviness Schafer in Fairfield, Iowa. He married Raberta Batterson on July 31, 1993 in Fairfield.

Russell L. Schafer graduated from Fairfield High School class of 1941. He continued his education at Parsons College and received his B.A. in Botany. Russell worked was a Captain for the Fairfield Police Department. He owned and operated Russ Schafer Construction. Russell was a US Army veteran serving during WW II in the 1st. Cavalry Division in the South Pacific from 1942 to 1945, and was wounded in the Admiralty Islands. He was past Commander of VFW Post 2271, and Past President of Walton Club, both in Fairfield, Iowa. He served on the Jefferson County Veteran's Monument fundraising Committee. He enjoyed the outdoors and Gardening.

Russell is survived by his wife Raberta Schafer of Fairfield, Ia. his children: Jeff (Lynne) Schafer of Fairfield, Ia., Teresa (Jeff) Thomas of Keosauqua, Ia., step-children: Laura (Ryan) Richardson of Libertyville, Ia., Jennifer (Kevin) Kurka of North Liberty, Iowa, 7 grandchildren: Jeremiah Schafer, Derek Hyde, Cliff Schafer, Joe Schafer, Aaron Hopper, Ashley Hopper, Jessica Craun, 2 step-grandchildren: Tade & Linden Richardson and 1 brother: John R. "Dick" Schafer of Clinton, Iowa.

Russell was preceded in death by: his parents, a son Walter J. Schafer, sisters Mary Ellen (Chet) Samuelson, Geneva (Roy) Mooney, Ruth (Butch) Barnes.