Kenneth Lee Schaefer

Kenneth Lee Schaefer

February 11, 2026

Lexington , Virginia - Kenneth Lee Schaefer, age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 in Lexington, Virginia, following long battles with cancer and congestive heart failure. He was kind and patient until the end, and he cared deeply for too many people to be named.

He is survived by his loving wife of 49+ years, Sandra Brown Schaefer. They would have celebrated their 50th anniversary on February 27, 2026. He also leaves behind three sons, Kenneth Charles Schaefer (Bobby Martin) of Lexington, Virginia; Dane Hughes Schaefer (Christine Arrigoni), of Valrico, Florida; and Heath William Schaefer, of Springfield, Ohio. Ken is also survived by one grandson, Brock Schaefer, of Springfield, Ohio; a "bonus" granddaughter, Morgan Androne of Ansonia, Ohio; two sisters, Janet Manning (David) of Newport, Tennessee, and Jean Peters (Don) of Atlantic Beach, Florida; one brother-in-law, Don Brown (Cathy), of Frankfort, Michigan; one sister-in-law, Barbara Knife (Kent), of The Villages, Florida; ten nieces and nephews, their children, and many other family members and friends.

Ken was born April 10, 1943, in Troy, Ohio, the son of the late Kenneth William Schaefer and Leah Eidemiller Schaefer. He graduated from Miami East High School in Casstown, Ohio, received his bachelor's degree in education from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio, and received his master's degree in counseling from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. For many years, he was a member of the Cove Spring United Church of Christ and the Cove Spring Grange in Troy, Ohio.

For over 35 years, Ken served the Milton Union (Ohio) Public School System, where he taught science, worked as a guidance counselor, and coached basketball and baseball. Along with his career in public education, he was also a proud farmer, raising corn and soybeans on his farm in Casstown, Ohio. Following retirement in 2000, Ken and his wife Sandy moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where they established new lifelong bonds with wonderful friends. There, he was a member of the Indigo Run Men's Club. Together, Ken and Sandy traveled the world, including trips all over the U.S. and trips to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Japan, China, Scandinavia, and visits to many countries in Europe. Ken will be remembered for his warmth and his humor by friends and family alike, all of whom were entertained by his stories and his "Kenclusions."

Beginning in 2023, Ken and Sandy primarily lived with their devoted son K.C. in Lexington, Virginia. Ken, always so loving and considerate, worried that it would be difficult for K.C. to have his parents at home; K.C. would not have had it any other way, and will always be grateful that he was able to be with Ken and help care for his father during this time. It brought Ken so much comfort during these years to be surrounded by his family, including his "granddog" Collin, whom he loved so much. His family members are especially thankful for the memories of Ken and Collin spending time at home, cuddled together on the couch in their blankets.

Above all else, Ken was selfless and generous, and wanted his friends and family to be happy. He was deeply loved, and will be greatly missed. It is impossible to imagine the world without him, but we are comforted knowing that he is now at rest.

A Celebration of Life for Ken will be held in Troy, Ohio at Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home at a time to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ken's honor to the University of Virginia Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center or The James Comprehensive Cancer Center at The Ohio State University.

Arrangements entrusted to Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home, Troy. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.fishercheneyfuneralhome.com.