Melvin A. Schaefer

Melvin Albert Schaefer, 89, of Rutland, died on Monday, August 13, 2012, after a brief illness.

He was born on March 28, 1923, at Waltz, Michigan, the son of Augusta (Zieman) and David Schaefer.

Mel attended schools in Saline, Michigan, graduating in 1941 from Saline High School. After attending Adrian College for a semester, he was about to be drafted, so he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and served as a corporal with the Marines for three years from November 23, 1942, to November 23, 1945. He was always very proud to have been a Marine, and shared many entertaining stories about his time as a paratrooper with the First Marine Division and about the many buddies he made. While serving with the Fifth Marine Division, he survived all 36days on Iwo Jima and also battles at Vella Lavella and Bougainville.

On June 2, 1944, Mel married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Phelps. They recently marked their 68th anniversary.

Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Mel received a bachelor's degree at Winona State Teacher's College and a master's degree from Colorado College of Education at Greeley. He taught high school math and also coached football and baseball, and was well-known for his honest interpretation of strict training rules all during his coaching career. "Coach" remembers with fondness a Portville, New York, champion football team and a group of these men who called themselves "The Vikings." The Vikings (including Coach Schaefer) stayed in communication with each other over the years by way of notebooks they circulated to each other which they filled with musings and photographs.

Mel, K1IEH, enjoyed amateur radio for 50 years. He held an Extra Class License. He could usually be found on the airwaves in his ham shack, or hanging from a tree stringing an antenna! For many years, he was also passionate about long distance running and one of his proudest moments in the sport was completing the Rochester, New York, marathon.

Mel is survived by his wife, Charlotte; a son, Scott Schaefer and his wife, Marcie, of Vienna, Virginia; a daughter, Lori McVeigh and her husband, Scott, of Rutland; seven grandchildren, Christopher Schultz, Kelly Schultz Dailey, Michael Schultz, Ryan McVeigh, Ashley McVeigh, Tyler Schaefer and Hayley Schaefer; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Kangas of Saline, Michigan, Viola Jones of Lebanon, Oregon, Marilyn Jaeger (John) of Woodhaven, Michigan, and one brother, Harold Schaefer (Shirley) of Elmore, Ohio. He was predeceased in 2009 by a brother, David Schaefer.

Mel was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bennington/Shaftsbury, and since moving to Rutland, enjoyed visiting with and receiving spiritual guidance from Pastor Deborah Estey of the Rutland United Methodist Church. At his request, there will be no memorial service. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

The Tossing Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.