Leon L. Schafer

Leon "Lee" Liberty Schafer, 90, of Gurnee, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Parkside Manor Assisted Living, Kenosha, WI on August 13, 2010. Lee was the first baby born in Liberty County Montana and the youngest of six children giving him the family nickname of "Babe". Growing up in Cavalier, North Dakota, he graduated from Cavalier High School in 1937, where he participated in football, basketball and track. While in North Dakota he served in the National Guard. He left North Dakota to work for R.R. Donnelley and Sons, Chicago, IL where he met Jayne Kasper. They married on April 12, 1945. He was a WWII US Army Air Corps Veteran, serving as a radio operator in the Pacific Theater. After the war, Lee and Jayne lived in Chicago where he returned to R. R. Donnelley's working as a lithographer for 42 years. In 1955, Lee and Jayne moved to Morton Grove, IL where they raised their 4 children; Richard, Sandra, Jay and Sherry. Lee was known for his volunteer work before and long into his retirement. He is survived by his brothers Cyril and Robert Schafer; his children Richard and Jay Schafer and Sherry DeMatteis; six Grandchildren; Matthew, Neil, Jacob, Michael and Delaney Schafer and Colin DeMatteis. Lee was preceded in death by 3 sisters, his beloved wife Jayne and daughter Sandra Schafer. Life celebration followed by memorial service will held on Thursday August 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Marsh Funeral Home , 305 Cemetery Road, Gurnee, IL (847) 336-0127, In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Lee's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org.