Edward "ED" "EDDY" Louie Schafer

After 17 years of hard working farm life, Ed served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict, returned to civilian life as a butcher for two years, then settled into carpentry. He retired from a 30 year career in Fresno, CA with the Carpenter's Union Local 701, and after 50 years of membership, became a life member in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. During his retirement years, Ed volunteered for many years at Catholic Charities and Holy Spirit Catholic Church offering his skills as a carpenter.

Ed will be deeply loved and remembered for his integrity, strength, loyalty, inventiveness, wit, and wisdom. He loved spending time with his family and friends sharing amazing stories of his 84 years of life. He recently said, "It is a privilege and a miracle to have existed."

Ed was preceded in death by Gloria, his devoted wife of 47 years; parents, Louie and Mathilda Schafer; and sisters, Julia Beckler, Bertha Paul, and Ann Scholl.

He is survived by daughter, Elizabeth Levine and her husband Doug; daughter, Linda King and her husband Matthew; son, Glen Schafer and his wife Ellen; son, Mark Schafer and his wife Lisa; 18 grandchildren, Daniel Ramirez, Juliana Ramirez, Christina Acosta and her husband Rene, Ryan Levine, Shandell Levine, Toni Gillingwater, Angela Levine, John Levine, Joshua Schafer, Shani King, Virginia King, Logan Schafer, Luke Schafer, Madalyn Schafer, Natalie Schafer, Jacob Schafer, Christopher Logan, and Grace Schafer; and five great-grandchildren, Rene Jr. Acosta, Ryan Acosta, Lizzy Acosta, Benny Acosta, and Sammy Acosta. He also leaves behind his sisters, Maggie Fleck, Rose Storelli, and Helen Helbling; brothers, Tony Schafer, Tom Schafer, and Frank Schafer; sister-in-law, Rosalba Peña-Sifuentes, and many more brothers and sisters-in-law. Ed will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Monday, April 18, 2016, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. with Monsignor Patrick McCormick presiding. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery, Fresno, CA.

Remembrances may be made to Catholic Charities, 149 N. Fulton St., Fresno, CA 93701.