Merle “Mike” John Schaeffer 85, passed away Friday, May 9, 2014 in the Cornerstone Hospice House, The Villages, FL
“Mike” was born to the late John Schaeffer and Eva Ladner Schaeffer, on March 10, 1929 in Bowdle, South Dakota. He married the late Ruby Bonner Schaeffer June 21, 1969.
“Mike” and Ruby both retired from National Geographic in Washington, DC in 1989 where Ruby was an RN and “Mike” was a design engineer. “Mike” was in charge of creating and building exhibits that traveled the world. After his retirement, he started a new design business call “Bonner Products” around Davis, WV. They retired again in 2003 and moved to The Villages, FL.
“Mike” served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict and served in the Medical Corp for both the Navy and Marines because of his specialized training. “Mike” received several medals for his service during this period.
“Mike” seemed to be loved by everyone he met. He had friends from all walks of life. He will definitely be missed.
“Mike” is survived by a daughter, Janet Paz of Silver Spring, Maryland, two grandsons, Christopher and Michael of Wildwood, FL, two great grandchildren, Micah and Gwen and one brother, Alvin Schaeffer of Ohio.
“Mike” was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Bonner Schaeffer and two brothers, Alex and Harold Schaeffer, two sisters, Hildy Bower and an infant sister, Viola. The family will receive relatives and friends at a visitation on Friday, May 16, 2014 at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services 1511 Buenos Aires Blvd., The Villages, FL from 10:00AM to 12:00 Noon.
Interment will be in Buena Cemetery, Canaan Valley, West Virginia with Hinkle Funeral Home of Davis, West Virginia assisting.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, FL or to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society or the Lupus Foundation.