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BORN
1952
DIED
2016
Joseph SHAEFFER Obituary
SHAEFFER,
Joseph
1952 - 2016
Our beloved husband, dad, papa, brother, and friend Joseph Shaeffer went to be with the Lord on August 22, 2016 due to a stroke. Joseph was a loving and compassionate husband to his wife of 43 years and father to his children. Joseph was preceded in death by his father and mother, Thelma and Dale Shaeffer. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Crystal Shaeffer an ELL Para Educator for Mead School District; his five children: Randy Shaeffer, Reuben (Stacy) Shaeffer, Rhea (Jeremy) Warren, Rachel Gareau, and Rylan Shaeffer; his nine grandchildren Jerrod Shaeffer, Megan and Samantha Shaeffer, Meranda, Oliver, and Aryah Warren, Karynne, Elliott and Linus Gareau; and one great-grandchild, Victor Shaeffer; as well as his siblings Sherry Schroeder, Bill, Lance, and Greg Shaeffer.
Joseph had a love for all things especially art, music, books and most of all vacations on the Oregon coast with his family. They have fond memories of sand castles, tide pools, and running on the beach, they will gather there this winter to spread his ashes as he requested because he loved the ocean no matter the time of year.
Joseph decided to pursue a career in Midwifery after the birth of his son. He became Spokane's first male midwife in 1992 joining only 35 male midwives, at that time, in the United States. Having a man as a midwife may seem like an oxymoron but Joe was quick to explain that the word midwife comes from old English Mid (with) and wife (woman), it means "with-woman". The woman is the mother in labor and the mid or with is the person assisting the mother and is used to refer to both male and female midwives. Joseph loved his patients and they loved him too, he was caring and sensitive to their needs. He did not believe in a set way for deliveries to happen, Joe felt deliveries were events and drama that take various routes to the same ending. He felt it was like a dance where the baby leads and he is the dance instructor. He always had a glow in his eyes after a delivery and he told his family he wished he had kept count but stopped counting after nearly 3,000 births all in the Spokane area including three of his own children and two grandchildren.
As we the family grieve, we know in the Spokane Community there are thousands grieving with us. He was loved dearly and will be missed. Joseph had a passion for women's health care and because of this, donations can be made in his name to Planned Parenthood with funds collected remaining in the Spokane area. Joseph requested no formal services just family and close friends gathering to celebrate his life and he believed in the ages to come we will be together in Heaven.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joseph SHAEFFER
Jennifer Dixon
November 4, 2016
I just learned of Joe's passing today....during a checkup. The midwife told me so delicately and I appreciate her so much! Joe was my midwife with my 2nd child. Not quite sure what exactly a midwife was as well as uncomfortable with a male, I took a leap of faith to continue with him and I'm so glad I did! Every thing you could want for a coach along the way! Went to see Joe during my 3rd pregnancy for the first 20ish weeks until I found out I was pregnant with twins! Out of his jurisdiction since I was considered "high risk" I changed physicians. Joe and I were both heart broken about it.
To the family. I know you all know how AMAZING Joe was and how many lives he affected! Joe always talked about his family and I appreciate you all for sharing him with us! We may have lost him on earth but Heaven gained an awesome angel! My deepest condolences to the Shaeffer family.
Lynn Griffin
October 24, 2016
Joe was my preceptor and mentor for my midwifery education in 2013. He encouraged me in my career and gave me the nurturing I needed. Joe's patients loved him and he was an inspiration to us all! Joe was an exceptional human. He will be so missed.
October 16, 2016
Bill & Dottie Shaeffer
October 16, 2016
You have left a Legacy. There was no one quite like you. You were very special and I want to say, I feel lost in so many ways. You are not here today but we will never forget you and I know we have been blessed to have you for a brother, because you were the best.....
Bill Phillips
October 15, 2016
I had the pleasure of working with Joe at CHAS. Such a wonderful guy. Calm, compassionate, and so caring. Always willing to help out and never too busy to answer a question or make a helpful suggestion. One of my very favorite people. My prayers and condolences to Joe's loved ones.
October 14, 2016
I taught with Joe at DMC many years ago and he was a most passionate and caring person so when he went in to Midwivery, I knew his "moms" would be extremely fortunate to have him help deliver their little ones!!
Linda Maas
Blue moon baby
October 13, 2016
Joe delivered my youngest daughter a little over a year ago, my labor was much more difficult than expected after having 3 of her older siblings within a few hours I ended up laboring for 30 hours but joe kept me going, after her birth the placenta refused to budge, joe and his team had to manually get it out. I did not know at the time how much of a close call I had. If it weren't for him I may not have survived the ordeal or at the least I would have probably ended up in surgery and probably lost my uterus but it didn't happen because of his cool head and ability to act quickly and on instinct. He was a wonderful midwife and a kind man and a heart of gold. His presence in this world will be truly missed. I'm sure there are hundreds if not thousands of women who will remember him fondly as part of that special day of birth and motherhood. Midwives are truly special and I'm so glad joe was one of them. Condolences to his family! He will be a cherished part of my memory and my daughter will hear about him some day too!
Amanda Perez
October 12, 2016
Joe was an amazing and caring person. I had the honor to have him for my Dr with all of my babies for the last 8 years. He was such a good hearted person and will always be a part of my life. He will be greatly missed by me as well as many other people. As I deliver my last baby I know he will be by my side :) we miss you Dr Schaeffer
Marcia Warren
October 10, 2016
Joe was a gentle ,caring, giving and loving guy. He will be missed but not forgotten. He was a great part of our family
Sue Gaunt
October 10, 2016
So very sad that the world is now without this big heart. Love this man beyond what my words can express. Thank you , Joe, for helping me become the person I Am.
Suez Gaunt - Mariposa, CA
Jody Cushner
October 10, 2016
Joe was a truly caring and compassionate individual I was honored to have him as my midwife for 3 of my children. I will never forget him.
Lisa Allen RN
October 9, 2016
Joe was a wonderful Midwife, very caring and compassionate. I feel blessed to have known & worked with him at Deaconess+
Catherine Eickmeyer
October 9, 2016
We will miss Joe tremendously. He was truly, a caring compassionate man and an awesome midwife. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Dixie Davis
October 9, 2016
I am so sad about his death. He will be very missed. I have worked with him when he was a labor and delivery nurse and then when he became a midwife.
October 9, 2016
Joe was my midwife for both my pregnancies. Due to unforeseen circumstances he didn't get the chance to deliver either of them, but he was there soon after to check on us. He also delivered my youngest niece. I was there for her birth and it was an incredible experience. I truly believe that the actions Joe took moments after my beautiful niece was born, saved my sister in law's life. I am deeply saddened by this untimely loss. My heart goes out to his friends and family. May it comfort them to know that Joe was an everyday hero to thousands of us.
Dalyn Harper
October 9, 2016
Joe was an incredibly compassionate man, and a lovely midwife. My 4 year old son (who Joe delivered) said it perfectly with the simple words "Joe was special". I wish comfort to his family and everyone affected by his passing. I will be thinking of him when I have my next baby in February. I wish you could have delivered this one too, Joe!
Sue Lindley
October 9, 2016
Joe and I were in same nursing class at SCC. He was so smart. I was so delighted to have him as my nurse with my son Justin in aug 1987, and I think he was with us with elliot in 1991. Lol I was being wheeled into delivery area and I demanded to have my epidural NOW. I was only at 2 cm. He gave our niece a popsicle. She remembers that popsicle to this day.
Nancy and Dave McLaughlin
October 9, 2016
May the Lord bring you much comfort during this time of great sorrow. Praying for the peace that only comes from above to you all!
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