Francis John Schafer

Francis John Schafer died June 13, 2025, of causes incident to age. He was born 31 July 1939 to Martin Peter Schafer and Esther Ann Miller Schafer in Fowler, Michigan. He resided at 521 High Street, Williamston, MI for over 50 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; spouse Marietta Elida (Harris) Schafer (married 28 May 1985); siblings: Helen Jeanine Schafer, Paul Hilary Schafer, Bernard Jerome Schafer, Georgia Ann (Schafer) Ward, Lois Ann Schafer, Philip Aloysius Schafer, Mark Philip Schafer, David Michael Schafer; & his stepson Michael David Lee Laycock.

He was survived by his first wife Maxine Arminta Schafer; children: Kevin Michael Schafer (adopted), Candace Christine (Schafer) Myler (adopted), Christopher Stephan Schafer, Kendall Mathias Schafer, Amanda Susan Louise (Harris) Musser (stepdaughter); sister Shirley Jane (Schafer) Simon; sister-in-law Gertrude Regina (Schmitz) Schafer; grandchildren: Alexis Schafer, Aleyna Schafer Mathias, Morgan Schafer, Kevin (Pete) Schafer, Marlena Schafer Shaw, Azrielle Schafer Butler, Conrad Myler, Joshua Myler, Abraham Myler, Crystal Myler, Mitchell Myler, Levi Myler, Aleksei Schafer, Christian Schafer, Mathias Schafer, Jakob Schafer, Nikolaus Schafer, Jarom Schafer, Tesla Schafer, Leneah Schafer, Brig Schafer, Axel Schafer, Jacob Tyler Spencer, Ailyn Laycock, Jaxon Laycock, Cassaundra (Harris) Orr, Serena Musser, Hunter Musser; & 28 great grandchildren.

His primary employments included Grand Trunk Western Railroad – 2 years as a Telegrapher and State of Michigan – 37 years as a clerk, and Data Systems Analyst.

Involvement in Civic Organizations included: Jaycees – President of the Fowler Chapter, and BSA Cub Scouts Pack 263 including Committee Chairman from 1977 to 1995.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he served as a Seventy, a Stake Missionary and a Clerk. He was also an avid genealogist.

Frans great loves included his family, pipe organs, and trains. He was deeply grateful for his large extended family. He is fondly remembered by his posterity - he enthusiastically included them in his passions. All will remember riding on the 1-foot scale trains in Hadley, MI.

His love of pipe organs began at the Most Holy Trinity Church in Fowler, MI, where, as a child, he loved how the low pipes made the floor shake. He was always good for an organ concert and could generally be depended upon to play theater organ music in his car.

He gleefully gathered a vast HO scale collection of thousands of pieces. He was active in several train clubs, including the acting as conductor for the Michigan State University Children's Garden Train. With his friends he built several modular train sets, which they could transport in a purpose-built trailer to exhibit across the country. He knew every engine and had a truly encyclopedic knowledge of railways. He enjoyed train documentaries to the end of his days.

He was loved and will be deeply missed.

A visitation for Francis will be held Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 5:00pm - 8:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave. East Lansing, MI 48823. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 11:00am with a visitation one hour prior at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 East Saginaw St. East Lansing, MI 48823.