Harvey D. "Don" Schaeffer

Harvey D. “Don” Schaeffer passed away March 31, 2020, at the age of 93. Born January 28, 1927, in New Ringgold, PA, his family migrated to Reading during the Great Depression, and eventually to Wilmington, DE. Though Don lived the majority of his life in Wilmington, he always remembered and celebrated his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was a detailed historian, documenting the incredible changes throughout his lifetime by telling stories and taking photographs. He enjoyed traveling and family vacations to amusement parks, and rode all the roller coasters well into his late 80s.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1945 at the age of 17. He became an aircrewman aboard a Martin PBM-5 Mariner, an American patrol bomber flying boat, which helped patrol the coasts of Japan and China during WWII. Upon returning from active duty in 1946, he began his career with Diamond State Telephone (later Bell Atlantic) in Wilmington, DE. It was there he met his wife, Cleo (Brown) Schaeffer, who was a telephone operator at the time. They were married in 1948.

Don retired from the telephone company in 1984 after 38 years. He remained active in his community post retirement through his tireless volunteer work, always serving those in need. He volunteered for St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, The Telephone Pioneers of America repairing ‘Talking Books’ from The Library of Congress, and The Lutheran Community Services Food Pantry at St. Stephen’s. For his decades of volunteerism and community service, he was recognized in 2012 with the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. He was an active member and volunteer in his parish, Zion Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Mariner/Marlin Alumni Association, attending many annual reunion events around the country.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Cleo Schaeffer, who passed away in 2007. He is survived by his son, Donald Schaeffer and his wife Karen, granddaughters: Erin Stonehouse and her husband Matt, and Kelly Schaeffer and her husband Patrick; 5 great grandsons: William, Samuel, Benjamin, Sebastian, and Diego; and many friends.

A special thanks to both the staff and residents of Millcroft Senior Living.

Interment will be private. To honor his legacy, donations can be made in his name to The Lutheran Community Services Food Pantry at St. Stephen’s: https://www.saintstephenslutheranchurch.org/food-pantry.

To offer condolences, visit www.dohertyfh.com.

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