John F. Schifer

John F. Schifer, 102, formerly of Albaugh Road in Chatfield Twp., died early Saturday morning, November 5, 2011 at Carlisle House.

He was born December 8, 1908 in Bucyrus Twp. to the late Louis George and Bertha K. (Heinle) Schifer. John was a 1927 graduate of Holmes Liberty High School and was proud to have been a school bus driver while still attending school. John continued his education at The Ohio State University where he studied Veterinary Medicine for two years before returning to Crawford County to marry his sweetheart, Elsie E. Schimpf, on April 12, 1936. They were married for 65 years until she preceded him in death on February 4, 2001.

John's life revolved around his farm and fishing. It was always important to John that he complete his farm work and tend to his animals every day. He was very proud to have been one of the first farmers in the area to own a combine and a baler. When all of the farm duties were completed, he and friends went fishing. He loved fishing at Honey Creek and Lake Erie and, before it was time to go fishing, he would always say, "get out of my way, I'm going fishing."

John was a stern and disciplinary type of man but always enjoyed joking around and laughing with family and friends. He attended Good Hope Lutheran Church until he married Elsie. Following that, their family attended Nazareth Lutheran Church. Prior to his death, John was the oldest member and was involved with Lutheran Brotherhood. He was a member of the Farm Bureau Council, Grange and REA. In addition to farming and fishing, his other hobbies included morel mushroom hunting and reading National Geographic along with other publications.

He is survived by three daughters, Marilyn (Eugene) Gebhardt, Carolyn (Ronald) Sand, both of Bucyrus, and Rosalyn (William) Cheek of Dublin; 10 grandchildren, Stanley Gebhardt of Port Clinton, Daniel Gebhardt of Hinckley, Sandy (David) Adams of South Carolina, Krista (Douglas) Haubert of North Canton, Sheila (Richard) Scott of Thornton, Colo., Greg (Kathleen) Sand of Huntington Beach, Calif., Heather (John) Sandell of Austin, Texas, Bill (Amanda) Cheek of Portland, Ore., Timothy (Shana) Schifer of Naperville, Ill. and Larry (Julie) Schifer of Birmingham, Ala.; 16 great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and also surviving is Karen (Schifer) Leuthold of Bucyrus.

Along with his parents and spouse, John is preceded in death by a son, Robert Schifer; grandson, David Gebhardt; four brothers, Carl, Albert, George and Jim Schifer and one sister, Edna Frey.

Friends may call from 12 Noon-2 p.m. Tuesday, November 8 at Nazareth Lutheran Church, 6411 St. Rt. 4, just south of Chatfield, Ohio, where funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. that day with Pastor Joseph H. Bartczak officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be given to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County, HomeCare Matters or Together We Hurt, Together We Heal through Wise Funeral Service or at the church during calling hours.



Visitation:

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 Noon - 2:00 p.m. Tuesday

Nazareth Lutheran Church, 6411 State Route 4, Chatfield, Ohio 44825



Service:

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 2:00 p.m. Tuesday

Nazareth Lutheran Church, 6411 St. Rt. 4, Chatfield, Ohio 44825



Cemetery:

Nazareth Lutheran Cemetery