ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Helen L. Schafer

1927-2010


Helen L. Schafer, 83, of rural Pioneer, Ohio, died Thursday evening in her home following an illness.

Born March 27, 1927 at Dexter, Mich., to Hazel Campbell and Emil A. Ruhlig. She had been a Montpelier/Pioneer area resident since 1953.

She was married to Howard L. Schafer on Oct. 30, 1948, and he survives.

A devoted housewife and mother, she was a 57-year member of St. James Lutheran Church, Archbold, where she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Altar Guild, Ladies Society, Happy Club, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

Helen was a member of the Montpelier Board of Education and served as president. She was a member and held the office of president for the Montpelier School Mother’s Club.

She was a member of 4-H while growing up and became a 4-H club leader as an adult. She was a member of the Williams County Fair Board and Fair Foundation, and served each as president.

Helen was inducted into the 2007 Williams County Agriculture Hall of Fame.

An avid bowler, she most recently was a member of two bowling leagues at Bryan Lanes.

Also surviving are three sons, Roger Schafer, Leslie (Jan) Schafer, Nelson Schafer (and friend Michelle Boothby), all of Montpelier; five daughters, Carolyn (Forrest) Haverfi eld, Maplewood, Ohio, Diane (Neil) Rhonemus, Lynchburg, Ohio, Beverly Schafer, Pioneer, Amy (Tim) Sellers, Montpelier, Linda Spathelf, Rio Rancho, N.M.; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren; one brother, Albert (Madonna) Ruhlig, Dexter, Mich.; two sisters, Alice Gall, Ann Arbor, Mich., Lois (Don) Lutz, Jeffersonville, Ind.; two sisters-in-law, Allie Ruhlig, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Karen Ruhlig, Athens, Ill.

Preceding her in death were her parents; two sons, Neal Schafer, Sr., and Rodney Schafer; two grandchildren, Neal Schafer, Jr. and Brett Sellers; three brothers, Donald, Lester, and Erwin Ruhlig; three sisters, infant Esther Ruhlig, Dorothy Spiegelberg, and Elaine Schultz.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. James Lutheran Church with Pastor Reverend James Strawn officiating. Burial followed in Shiffler Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League or Bethesda Lutheran Home and Services, Inc.

Wilson-Geesey Funeral Home, Montpelier, was entrusted with the arrangements.


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