Raymond Schaffer

The Willard community is mourning the loss of Raymond "Bud" Schaffer, 94, who passed peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at Mercy Hospital Willard, surrounded by his loving family.
Bud was born in Norwalk on November 8, 1930 to Jerome (Joe) and Lillian Schaffer.
He attended Norwalk St. Paul's school until his father moved the family to Willard in 1940 to own the Mobil Gas Station. Bud then attended and graduated from Willard High School.
Following high shool, Bud worked on the railroad and Pioneer Balloon Company before serving his country (1951) in the Navy as an electrician on the USS Valley Forge where he saw wartime in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy following an automobile accident in 1954.
Following his time in the service, Bud went to work with his father at the Mobil gas station in downtown Willard. He was approached in 1963 to become a Rambler dealer, and so began his career as a Willard businessman. In 1964, Bud added the Dodge franchise and in 1966 took on Honda motorcycles. In 1974 he purchased the Pontiac-Buick dealership and later added Chrysler-Jeep-Plymouth until he handed over his business to his son in 2001. Bud proudly met the automotive needs of the Willard community for 38 years as an automobile dealer.
Bud was one of the original 16 investors who purchased Sutton Bank from Centran Corp. in 1985 and served on the Board of Directors for the bank for 19 years, even serving as Chairman. He was a member of the Exclusive Investment Club, Knights of Columbus (once serving as Grand Knight), member of the Mercy Willard Hospital Foundation, and receiving the Wasserman Award in 2014, and Member of the Willard Elks. Bud was also a member of the Car Coddlers Club of Ohio.
During his time in the service, Bud married a beautiful young nurse named Norma Loretta Lofland. They shared 53 glorious years together raising six children, serving their community and parish, and enjoying their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bud was a parishioner and deep believer at St. Francis Xavier Church, Willard. Bud enjoyed playing rummikub, traveling, car collecting, furniture restoration, and spending time with his family. He was a generous donor to many charities and organizations.
Bud is survived by a family who loved him fiercely, including: daughter Chris Jacobs, daughter Beth (Bill) Goodsite, son Mike (Deb) Schaffer, all of Willard and daughter Julie (Lanny) Jackson of Lafayette, LA, and son-in-law Dane (Val) Moll of Visalia, CA. Sisters Marilyn (Claude) Keaton and Corrine Bittikofer, both of Willard. Grandchildren Ryan (Tiffany) Jacobs, Dustin (Morgan) Jacobs, Kyle (Melanie) Jacobs, Casey Goodsite, Caitlin Goodsite, Cody Jackson, Ked (Amie) Jackson, Joe (Kylie) Jackson, Tommy (Cydnie) Jackson, Austin (Michelle) Schaffer, Shelby Schaffer, Jackson Schaffer, Landon Schaffer, Nathan Moll and Case Moll along with 18 great grandchildren. Bud is also survived by loving companion Alma Heisler of Willard, OH.
Preceding him in death were his parents Joe and Lillian Schaffer, adoring wife Norma (Lofland) Schaffer, daughter Becky (Schaffer) Moll, son Tommy Schaffer, grandson Nicholas Moll, and grandson Corey Goodsite.
Bud's family will receive friends on Friday, June 6, 2025 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Secor Funeral Home in Willard.
Funeral Service (Catholic Mass) will be celebrated at St. Francis Xavier Church, Willard on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 12:00 pm.
A private interment for family will follow later in the summer at St. Joseph Cemetery in Willard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Willard Mercy Hospital Foundation or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Online condolences can be made to Bud's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com.