Sr. Josepha Schaeffer, OSF

Sister Josepha, the former Margery Grace Schaeffer, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on June 29, 1932, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Miller) Schaeffer. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1950, and professed her first vows on June 13, 1953.

Sister Josepha was a 1956 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marquette University in 1959 and a master’s degree in nursing from Indiana University in 1967.

From 1956-83, Sister Josepha served in nursing at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and at St. Francis Convent. She then began service with HSHS as the secretary for the hospitals until 1988 followed by service as the regional vice president for the HSHS Illinois board of directors from 1988-2001. In 2001, Sister Josepha spent several months with the Hospital Sisters in India, and upon her return, she served as the provincial archivist from 2002-11.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Shaeffer, and two sisters: Evelyn Wyrzykowski and Vivienne Doyle.

She is survived by a brother, Edmond (Mary) Schaeffer of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; two nephews; one niece; and her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life with for more than 70 years.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at St. Francis Convent, 4849 LaVerna Road, Springfield, IL with a Wake Service at 6 p.m.

The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent.

The Franciscan Sisters and family of Sister Josepha Schaeffer are being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.