Conrad Paul Schaeffer

Conrad Paul Schaeffer, 89 of Fremont, IN passed away peacefully in his home on Friday February 15th at 7:20 am in the presence of his Lord and his family. Mr. Schaeffer was born on June 25th 1929 to Paul R and Grace Gould Schaeffer on the same farm where he passed away.

On April 3, 1955 he was married to Carol Elaine Robertson Schaeffer at the Angola Church of Christ in Angola, IN. They met through Rural Youth activities and Lake James Christian Assembly camp.

He grew up on the family farm learning to love the soil, the trees, the woods and all living things. Hard work, discipline, fun, church, and community experiences were important to him the rest of his life. He graduated from Fremont high School in 1947. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from Michigan State University in 1951. He was stationed in Germany as a Corporal in the US Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War.

Mr. Schaeffer began his professional career with the U.S. Soil and Water Conservation Service and in 1960 began 25 years of service with the Federal Land Bank Association as a farm appraiser, agricultural lender and Regional President for Northeast Indiana. His career took Conrad and his family to various communities throughout the state including Angola, Bluffton, Colfax, Auburn, Garrett – and back to Angola. In each community he served in the local church as a lay leader, teacher and shepherd. In retirement he served as a court bailiff for DeKalb County Circuit court and Treasurer for the Trine University Christian Campus House.

In 1992 the Schaeffers built a beautiful new home north of Fremont on their Hoosier Homestead family farm founded in 1843. In retirement years Conrad and Carol enjoyed caring for the farm and hosting friends, family and missionary guests. They actively supported the ministry at Lake James Christian Assembly and enjoyed fellowship at Pleasant View Church of Christ. They had opportunities to travel to Europe, South Africa, Israel, Hawaii and many other places.

More than all the things he accomplished Dad was well known for his kind and generous nature. Those who knew him were familiar with his smile, sincere friendship, laughter and sense of humor. He never lost his appetite at the table until the end and he never lost his ability to care for and encourage anyone he met, disregarding his own personal struggle.

Mr. Schaeffer was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Arlene Lytel and a brother Larry Schaeffer.

Survivors include his wife, Carol and 4 children; Beth Ann (Rodney) Gainesville FL and their sons Grant and Ross; Cinda Jill Schaeffer, Fremont; Daniel Craig (Mary) Schaeffer Wabash IN and their children Danielle Diener (David), Caitlyn Powell (Riley) and Kyle Schaeffer . Great Grandchildren Carter and Eli Diener, Caleb Powell. Jon Douglas (Sandi) Schaeffer, Mentone, IN and their children Paul and Sydney Schaeffer. Three sisters also survive: Mavis Church of Fremont, Iris Allen of Martinsville, Rosalynn Anderson of Lake Placid, Florida; Cousin CoraVee Caswell of Fremont.

Memorials may be directed toward Pleasant View Church of Christ, Lake James Christian Camp and Retreat Center, or Trine University Christian Campus House.

Calling will be held at Pleasant View Church of Christ Wednesday, February 20 from 4-7pm and one hour prior to a celebration of his life. A celebration and legacy of his life will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, February 21 at the church, with Michael D. Booher, Minister officiating. The church is located at 200 Fox Lake Road, Angola, IN. Military Honors will follow the Celebration of Life.

Burial will be held at Mundy Cemetery, Kinderhook Township, Michigan at a later time.