John Schaffer

1941 - 2026

John C. "Jack" Schaffer

Apr 28, 1941 - Mar 27, 2026

Norwalk

John C. "Jack" Schaffer, 84, of Norwalk died Friday, March 27, 2026, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Jack was born April 28, 1941, the eighth of 11 children to Theodore and Gladys (Greenfelder) Schaffer, at the family home on Ohio 113, east of Monroeville. After attending St. Joseph Elementary School, Jack enrolled at St. Meinrad Seminary in southern Indiana, where he earned his high school diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree. He returned home in 1963 and went to work for his oldest brother, Thomas, who owned the Havana-Omar Grain and Supply Company. About that time, Tom acquired Litchfield Elevator in Medina County and sent Jack there to manage the operation.

Jack met the love of his life, Patricia Schnurr, at a graduation party. They were married December 26, 1964, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Peru. They started their married life in Litchfield, where their two children, Rick and Jackie, were born. The family moved into the Schnurr homestead on Hasbrock Road north of Peru in 1972, when Jack was enlisted to manage Tom's elevator at Omar, near the Huron-Seneca county line. Not long later, the Omar elevator burned down, and Jack and Pat decided to buy Litchfield Elevator from Tom. After about 10 years of business success, Jack could see the grain business in Medina County was changing. He had the foresight to see that ethanol production for vehicle power was in the future. Litchfield Energy was established, but proved to be ahead of its time. Jack shifted to Plan C in 1984 as a New York Life agent and financial planner and was successful with that for 40 years.

After moving back to the Peru area, Jack and Pat devoted their lives to the success of St. Alphonsus Parish, initially helping establish Parish Council, a Men's Association, high school CCD classes, and periodic work days where parishioners gathered for maintenance projects on parish grounds. Jack pushed for the re-establishment of a summer parish festival -- dubbed the Ox Roast, where beef was roasted overnight in underground pits. Jack learned to play the guitar so that, with the efforts of other organ players and choir members, almost every Mass at St. Alphonsus would include organized music. The parish gained momentum with the celebration of its sesquicentennial, the canonization of St. John Neumann, who had served at St. Alphonsus in 1841, and diocesan-wide bicentennial observance. Jack's enthusiasm inspired many parishioners to take part in the planning and execution of these events, leading to growing pride in the parish.

Jack also took an interest in the wider community, taking leadership roles in Huron County Right to Life, Huron County Humane Society, Norwalk Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus. Under Jack's guidance, Kiwanis' tribute to Fisher Body Co. on Benedict Avenue, a walking path at Norwalk Reservoir and an overlook of the Huron River on the Firelands Rails to Trail in Norwalk were constructed.

Jack's crowning achievement was convincing fellow parishioners to move to parish grounds the log cabin that was part of the Carabin farmhouse. The Carabins were founding members of St. Alphonsus Parish in 1828 and were close to Father John Neumann. The future saint undoubtedly spent time in the log cabin and possibly said Mass there. Jack recruited dozens of volunteers to play a role in the multi-year project to move and restore the cabin, which is now a centerpiece of the parish grounds. Later, Jack led efforts to add a Rosary walk, a Mary grotto, and a St. Francis Assisi shrine to the parish campus.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his son, Rick; siblings Tom (Rosie) Schaffer, Joanne (F.J.) Dick, Barbara (Leroy) Miller, Patricia Mirtes/Stieber, Jim (Loretta) Schaffer, and Charlie (Theresa) Schaffer.

He is survived by his wife, Pat; daughter, Jackie (Howard) Sutton; siblings, Kathleen (Norb) Schloemer, Ruth (Jack) Weisenberger, Ted (Florence) Schaffer and Bill (Joan) Schaffer; grandchildren, Taylor Schaffer, Jacob (Jaime) Sutton, Hannah (Matt) Mackey, Jessica Sutton and Hayden Sutton; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Also, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, followed by a funeral Mass at 1 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1322 Settlement Road, Norwalk. Burial will follow at the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Alphonsus Parish, care of Log Cabin Fund, 66 Chapel St., Monroeville, Ohio, 44847.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Admiral Point Memory Care Unit and SouthernCare Hospice for their care.