LeRoy Schafer

LeRoy Dee Schafer, 67, of Franklin, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska.

LeRoy was born September 7, 1942 south of Franklin, at home to Harold and Sylvia (Schmidt) Schafer. He lived all his life in Franklin County in the Riverton-Spring Valley area. He started school at Spring Valley and then transferred to Riverton when his parents moved to that district. He was confirmed in the Spring Valley Church. He graduated from Riverton High School in the spring of 1960 and that summer he worked for a custom wheat harvester and Dean Steinkruger. He then started helping his father on the family farm.

On November 3, 1963 he married Joelene Kelso. To this union three sons were born: Kevin, Kelly and Danny. LeRoy and Joelene farmed with Ruth Escherman for nine years and then moved to Howard Bergman's place to partner with Howard and his wife Marjorie. In 1987 they bought their own place and moved to that location in 1988.

LeRoy was a member of the United Church of Christ in Riverton, Macon Lion's Club, an avid supporter of the Franklin FFA, Franklin County Supervisor for the last five years and past President of the Trailblazer RC & D.

He loved God, his family, farming, classic cars and playing pitch in the winter. He was known for his distinctive laugh, love of life and helping hand.

He is survived by his wife Joelene, Franklin; sons Kevin, Fort Worth, TX; Danny, Lincoln, NE; brother Dale Schafer and wife Nancy, Hastings, NE; sister Marjorie Thoesen and husband Donald, Juniata, NE; many nieces and nephews including great and great-greats, other relatives and a host of friends.

LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents and his son Kelly.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church in Macon, Nebraska with Pastors Baron and Nancy Cole officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Franklin. Visitation will be Saturday 1 PM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 8 PM and Monday 8 AM to 8 PM at Hutchins Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials be given to the American Cancer Society or donor's choice.