Donald H. Schaefer

1926 - 2018

Donald H. Schaefer 1926 - 2018
Arlington Heights, IL—Donald H. Schaefer, 91, of Arlington Heights and formerly of Springfield, peacefully passed away on February 25, 2018, living a full and complete life of love and family.
He was born December 8, 1926 in McHenry, Illinois, the third son of Henry B. and Gertrude Broughton Schaefer. He was educated at McHenry schools, playing football and the French horn. As a teen, he worked at the ice cream shop in the McHenry Dairy and, as a Boy Scout, attained the rank of Eagle Scout. His 15th birthday coincided with the bombing at Pearl Harbor, but it was another two years before he joined the Army and was trained as an aerial photographer. After the war, he went to work for Illinois Bell. He started as a lineman in Woodstock and worked as an operations engineer in McHenry, Joliet, Springfield and Chicago during a career that spanned nearly 40 years. He also served as an Alderman for the city of McHenry.
With him through his life was his wife, companion and soul mate of 65 years, Estelle "Sis" Schaefer. A Chicago girl who summered on the Chain of Lakes in McHenry, they met and married five years later on January 24, 1953. God blessed them with five children, Mary (Dennis) Mahoney, Donald Jr. (Mary), James (Marilyn), Thomas (Jana), and Phillip (Kate); 11 grandchildren, Molly (William) Opal, Peter Mahoney, Michael Mahoney, Ali Mahoney, Geoffrey (Kinga) Schaefer, Melissa Schaefer, Maggie (Keenan) Gilpin, Mickey Schaefer, Nicholas Schaefer, Megan Schaefer and Amy Schaefer; and a great-granddaughter, Mary Grace Opal. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Earl and Robert Schaefer.
Don and Sis resided in Springfield from 1966 until 1984. During those years, he was active in Christ the King Parish and participated in many golf and bowling leagues. He was also a member of the first Springfield Railroad Relocation Authority. He retired in 1985, but remained busy in many volunteer positions including past Chairman of The Griffin High School Mostaccioli Dinner. He was an active member of Telephone Pioneers of America.
Visitation will be Friday, March 2, 2018 from 3-8 PM at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights. Prayers will be said Saturday, March 3 at 9:15 AM at the funeral home and proceed to St. James Parish, 831 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights for funeral mass at 10:00 AM. Interment will be in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. James Parish Building Fund or The Viatorian Seminary Aid, 1212 E. Euclid, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 will be appreciated. Funeral Info 847-253-5423 or visit lauterburgoehler.com.