Willet W. Schaefer

Willet W. Schaefer, 92 of Centralia, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2015 at his home.He was born January 7, 1923 in Augsburg, son of William Henry Schaefer and Josephine W. (Maske) Schaefer. He married Walda (Jank) Schaefer on February 12, 1944 in Stamford, Texas and she preceded him in death after 56 years of marriage on March 23, 2000.He is survived by four children: Robert Lyndon Schaefer and wife Martha of Holiday Shores, IL, Cathleen Bright and husband Julian of Alhambra, IL, Daniel Schaefer and wife Linda of Centralia and Judith Stack and husband John of Centralia; nine grandchildren: Matthew Schaefer and wife Amanda of Holiday Shores, IL, Lt. Colonel Derek Bright, USAF and wife Tracy of Aurora, Colorado, Andrew Bright and special friend Heather Smith of Alhambra, IL, Kyle Schaefer and wife Tammy of Centralia, Melissa Scheetz and husband Kevin of Centralia, Jason Stack and wife Michele of St. Louis, MO, Jennifer Kincaid and husband Tim of Quincy, IL, Justen Stack of Centralia, and Jacquelyn Stack of Centralia; thirteen great-grandchildren: Luke Bright, Avery Bright, Logan Bright, Kelsie Schaefer, Kristyn Schaefer, Kaleb Schaefer, Zachary Holt and wife Rachel, Ashley Holt, Riley Scheetz, Reese Scheetz, Connor Stack, Whitney Stack and Raylee Kincaid; great-great granddaughter Olivia Holt, daughter-in-law: Nancy Schaefer of Centralia; brother-in-law: Erich Jank of Sullivan, MO; two sister-in-laws: Cordula Lange of St. Louis, MO and Jean Jank of Cape Girardeau, MO; a nephew: Robert Jank of Indiana; two nieces: Marlys Berry and husband Mike of Jackson, MO and Donna Coughlin and husband Tom of St. Louis, MO.He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, a son: Ronald Allen Schaefer, two sisters: Agnes Schaefer and Glenna Myer, an infant brother, three brother-in-laws: Oliver Lange, Edgar Meyer, and Carl Jank, and a sister-in-law, Marjorie Jank.Willet served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Radio Operator/Gunner, stationed near Foggia, Italy, during WWII. He enjoyed gardening, wood working, and he worked on electrical wiring in many houses. He was an avid Detroit Tigers Fan. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia and he loved his church and church family very much. Willet was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, brother, and uncle. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends. Funeral Services for Willet Schaefer will be held Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia with Pastor Mark Girardin and Pastor Perry Schefelker. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Centralia. Military Honors will be accorded at the gravesite by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055. Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 11, 2015 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SSM Hospice, Trinity Lutheran Church in Centralia or the Trinity Lutheran School in Centralia and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

Willet W. Schaefer

January 7, 1923 - March 8, 2015