Thomas J. Schafer

Thomas Schafer, 89, of Weidman, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021, at home with his family by his side. He was born March 8, 1931, in Isabella County, Michigan, son of the late John M. and Minnie M. (Gross) Schafer. He was drafted by the U.S. Marines, serving from 1952-1954 during the Korean Conflict. On May 29, 1954, Tom married Enid L. Phenix at St. Philomena Catholic Church in Beal City. He was employed by Morbark as a steel cutter, retiring in 1994. Tom was a volunteer fire fighter with Nottawa-Sherman Fire Department. He was a lifetime member of the Beal City Old Car Club, avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed spending time at deer camp with the boys, and had countless weekends bonding with the family by cutting wood. Tom also refurbished antique cars and Farmall tractors. He will forever be known as the inventor of the Schafer salute, a time-honored tradition that will be carried on by future generations. Tom is survived by his wife of 66 years, Enid; nine children, Roxann Davis of Indianapolis, IN, Michael (Dawn) Schafer of Mesa, AZ, Annette (Dan) Schumacher of Weidman, Terry (Jean) Schafer of Weidman, Dale (Becky) Schafer of Remus, Mary (Steve) Pohl of Mt. Pleasant, Sandy (Marty) Wilson of Remus, Denise (Brian) Sharrar of Mt. Pleasant, and Brian Schafer (Sherri) of Weidman; 20 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren with three more on the way; two brothers, Steve (Janet) Schafer and Harry Schafer (Paula Russell), both of Weidman; in-laws, Wendell (Betty) Phenix of Mt. Pleasant, Retha Walters of Vestaburg, Orlie Simon of Remus, and Robert Krabill of Lake; and many nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Minnie Schafer; infant son, Brad; sisters, Rose Schafer, Gertrude "Gertie" Keusch, and Liz Tschappat; and son in-law, Dick Davis. A funeral Mass for Tom will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 6, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with Father Thomas Held as celebrant. The family will receive friends in the gathering room of the church one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker School or Woodland Hospice. Envelopes will be available at the church or at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home.   To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.