Obituaries

Leo Francis Schaefer

Photo of Leo Francis Schaefer
Leo Francis Schaefer Jr, 79, of Westphalia, Missouri, otherwise known as "Sonny", passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at St. Mary's Health Center. He was born on August 24, 1940, in Westphalia, Missouri, a son of the late Leo and Frances (Wiegers) Schaefer. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Jane Toebben, on September 30, 1961, in Taos, Missouri. Leo was a larger than life character. He never met a stranger. Every person in the world to him was just a friend he hadn't met yet. He had a mischievous sense of humor and fun-loving ornery streak. In his retirement, he loved woodworking and volunteered much of his time and talent to make beautiful clocks from the reclaimed wood and square head nails from the old church steeple. He donated the clocks back to the parish to use as prizes for their parish raffles. He also made wooden rosaries and crucifixes; and concrete Virgin Mary statues to give for gifts to special friends. He also sold many of those items and donated the profits back to the church, school and St. Jude's. Leo and his buddies were dubbed "The Dream Team" for their volunteer work on projects around St. Joseph Catholic School. On January 30, 2016, Leo was honored with the Distinguished Graduate Award for his legacy of volunteerism and giving back to the community he loved so dearly. Most of all, Leo enjoyed puttering around his Century Family Farm, exploring new endeavors with his right-hand man Bob of B&S Tinker & Design, teasing his grandkids, and razzing his kids with a twinkle in his eye. In his lifetime, he accomplished many things. Leo was a 1958 graduate of Fatima High School in Westphalia. He was a lifelong farmer and plasterer. He was employed with Wilde and Castrop Plastering from 1958 until 1964, and Castrop Plastering from 1965, until his retirement in 2002. Leo was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Westphalia. He served on the board of the St. Joseph School Home & School Association and on the Church and School Building Committee. Leo used his plaster expertise to plaster St. Joseph Catholic Church during a major renovation. He was a 50-year Honorary Member of the Westphalia Knights of Columbus #1171 where he held many offices including Past Grand Knight. Leo was also proud to be a 40-year Honorary Member of the 4th Degree Knights, past Faithful Navigator and member of the distinguished Honor Guard. He served as a Project Manager for the construction of the Knights of Columbus Hall and built the sign displayed at the entrance. He was past president of the Western Catholic Union (WCU) Branch 314 and a 50-year Honorary Member of the WCU Cole-Osage District. He served as both President and board member for the Senior Citizens Complex in Westphalia. Leo and his buddies enjoyed visiting with the residents and helping repair and maintain the property. A passion of his was repairing and maintaining tombstones at the old cemetery. He made and donated planters and benches in the church shrine; served as picnic chair, volunteered at fall festivals, spring dinners and picnics for his entire life. Leo is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Jane; children: Jeanine Bock (Tim) of Taos, Ronald Schaefer (Christy) of Taos, Laurie Roach of Wardsville, Larry Schaefer (Sharon) of Westphalia, Leslie Crane (Bruce) of Jefferson City, Geri Roling (Mark) of Taos, Pamela Harrison (Brad) of Jefferson City and Steven Schaefer (Mackenzie) of Eschenbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany; honorary son: Patrick Mathews (Michelle) of St. Louis; sisters: Mary Morrow of Sandusky, Ohio and JoAnn Meara (Dan) of Kansas City, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and four step-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant son: Joseph Leo Schaefer; honorary daughter: Lynne Mathews; brother-in-law: John Morrow; nephew: Dan Morrow and niece: Elizabeth Morrow. Friends will be received from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2020, at Hilke-Millard Funeral Home in Westphalia. You may show your respects to Leo by driving under the front portico for visitation. Hilke-Millard staff will be directing friends for the viewing. You may get out of your car to say a prayer, sign the register book and leave a memorial if desired. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2020, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Westphalia, for the immediate family with a private interment immediately following in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery. Friends and family may attend the mass virtually via Facebook on Millard Family Chapels. Leo will be taken to his final resting place in the Horse Drawn Funeral Carriage. The Schaefer family asks that due to the circumstances, you join extended family and friends along the route to the cemetery from the church following the private mass. A celebration of life (Leo style) will be held when it is safe for all to attend. How is it possible that the world still rushes by when such a great man has left the earth? We prayed for healing and he is perfectly healed today. He was able to live his life to the fullest each day and today is he rejoicing and free of pain. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Leo Schaefer family to be used for a special project benefitting St. Joseph Church and School in Westphalia. Arrangements are under the direction of HILKE-MILLARD Funeral Home, 101 Linn Street, Westphalia, MO 65085. (573) 455-2424. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com.

Published August 9, 2020