John F. Schaefer

John Frederick Schaefer

86, of Greenwood died Saturday October 29 with his family by his side. Born in Indianapolis in 1925, he was a graduate of Howe High School and a 1949 graduate of Butler University. John worked at Eli Lilly and Company for 38 years, first as Manager of Accounting Operations and then Controller of Creative Packaging, a division of Lilly. In the 1970s, after Lilly's purchase of Elizabeth Arden, he was transferred to Virginia as Controller of the Roanoke division. He retired in 1982 and divided his time between Greenwood and Fort Myers, Florida.

A decorated veteran of World War II, John was a B24 tail gunner and flew with the 47th Wing of the 15th Air Force. His crew of ten, known as Connoly's Crew, was based in San Panzio Italy, and completed 33 combat missions over northern Europe. He was eighteen years old at the time. John was proud to say that the 47th Wing Bomb Group personnel were awarded over 29,000 individual medals, including Battle Stars, and Presidential Citations.

John was a lifetime member of Sigma Chi, Centre Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine, The Royal Order of Jesters, and the Shrine Band, where he marched in the first 500 parade, and continued playing the trombone until shortly before his death. He co-founded the Murat RV Club and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ. He is survived by his beloved wife Opal Schaefer, by his children Dr. John F. Schaefer Jr. and Susan Schaefer Neville (Ken); by his grandchildren Allison and Matthew Schaefer and Steven and Laura Neville; by his step-children Sherrie Griggs (Harold) and Gregg E. Allen, and step-grandchildren Nick Allen and Allen Bilyeu (Michelle), who loved and welcomed him as part of their family. He was preceded in death by his father John L. Schaefer and mother Alma Kottlowski Schaefer. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service and Crematory, Greenwood Chapel 481 W. Main St. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. You are invited to read John's obituary at http://www.wilsonstpierre.com where you may sign the guest book, share a personal message, or order flowers for the family.