Jack A. Schaefer

Jack A. Schaefer, 90, Wausau, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2018, at Northcentral Health Care Center, Wausau.

He was born Sept. 21, 1928, at home in the Town of Rib Mountain to the late Alois and Katie (Brenton) Schaefer. He married Mildred Ann Vesely on April 7, 1956, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. She preceded him in death on Feb. 27, 2017.

Jack graduated from Wausau High School in 1948. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1949 serving as a Hospital Corpsman until his discharge in 1953. After his discharge, he was employed with the United States Tobacco Company, Rosemurgy Motors, and the Town of Rib Mountain. He was a member of the Rib Mountain Volunteer Fire Department from 1959 to 1989. During his time on the department, he became a Lieutenant in 1969 and the Fire Chief in 1973. Jack joined Boy Scouts when he was a young boy at the Underwood Chapel in Wausau and continued as an Assistant Scout Leader for Boy Scout Troop 453 of Rib Mountain when his son David joined. While he was a member of Troop 453, he was inducted in to the Order of the Arrow.

Besides the love for his wife Mildred and family, Jack had a passion for hunting, fishing, wood working, sports, gardening, flowers, music, war and western movies, camping trips with the Boy Scouts, making wine, and baking treats for the grandkids. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, a good party, and helping others where he could.

Survivors include his children, David Schaefer, Diane (Curtis) Hangartner, Rib Mountain, Marie (Patrick) Stepanik, Schofield, and Jon Schaefer, Rothschild; his adoring grandchildren, Brian Hangartner, Sarah and Joseph Stepanik, Dylan (Ashley) Paszek-Schaefer and Dakota Schaefer , a brother, LeRoy (Merc) Schaefer, Menasha. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Charles Schaefer, and a sister, Bernice Wendorf.

A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at
First Presbyterian Church, 406 Grant Street, Wausau. The Rev. Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. Saturday until time of services all at the church with a luncheon to follow. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.bestefh.com

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jack’s name, can be directed to the Wisconsin Kidney Foundation.