Milton L. “Mick” Schaffner, 86, of rural Waldron, MI, died Friday morning, December 14, 2012, at Fairlawn Haven Special Care Unit in Archbold, following several months of declining health. He was born on November 19, 1926, the only child of the Late Hubert and Helen (Wallace) Schaffner. He married Barbara Ann Goble on October 6, 1946, in Fayette, and she survives.
Mick lived his entire life in the Fayette area, and attended Gorham Fayette High School. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944, and proudly served aboard the USS Lexington as a radio operator. He stated that he could have hit the Emperor of Japan with a baseball at the signing of the peace treaty, as his ship was alongside the Missouri at that time. Starting life as a carpenter, Mick used those skills as a foundation throughout his life as he became a farmer and millwright. In his retirement, he stayed busy in his woodshop until his body could no longer keep up.
Mick loved to help people and was honored for such when he and Barb were named as Fayette Citizens of the Year in 2002. He was a life member of the John Dale Post 143 of the American Legion, serving in many leadership positions during a period of over 60 years. Mick also worked part-time for Eagle Funeral Homes, starting in the 1960’s when an ambulance service accompanied the business. He also volunteered many selfless hours to the betterment of the Fayette Opera House. In September of 2011, he had the privilege of taking Honor Flight to the WWII Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Surviving Mick in addition to his wife, Barb, are their five children, Kristine (Robert) Keiser of Fayette, Colleen (Merritt) Kimball of Worthington, OH, Marsha Kutzley of Fayette, Philip (Christine) Schaffner of Alvordton, OH, and Nancy (Trent) Lavinder of Fayette; fifteen grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren with one on the way.
In addition to his parents, Mick was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Kellen Keiser.
A funeral service for Mick Schaffner will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at the Eagle Funeral Home-Barrett Chapel in Fayette with Pastors Kathy Currier and Jonathan Kimball officiating. Military interment will follow at Pleasant View Union Cemetery with rites conducted by the Fulton County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday afternoon, from 3-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorial donations in Mick’s honor to a charity of their choice.
Friends can send condolences to Mick’s family online at www.eaglefuneralhomes.com.