Hilmer F. Schaefer

Hilmer F. Schaefer, 80, of Rowena died Saturday afternoon, August 30, 2008, in Meadow Creek Care Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Hilmer was born on May 26, 1928 in Olfen, Texas, to Henry and Cecilia (Halfmann) Schaefer. He proudly served with the U.S. Army during the end of W.W. II, and then served in the reserves. He was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1952. He returned to Runnels County and married Mae Dell Lange on February 4, 1958 in Rowena. They enjoyed 50 years of married life. He farmed in the Rowena area since 1958, and prior to that, he worked in the oilfield in Florida and Colorado.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena and the Rowena Knights of Columbus Council # 2636. He was also a member of the Rowena VFW Post # 9196 and the Ballinger American Legion Post # 8.

He is survived by his wife, Mae Dell; two sons, Mark Schaefer and wife, Jeanne of San Antonio and Gary Schaefer and wife, Deanna of San Angelo; five daughters, Donna Kruse and husband, Dave of Hanover KS, Susan Schumacher and husband, Gene of Gainesville, Connie Strange and husband, Shawn of Midlothian, Joan Schwartz and husband, John of Wall and Lori Taylor of San Angelo.
19 grandchildren and a sister, Earline Johnson of San Angelo also survive.

A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Monday, September 1, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena. A celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday at St. Joseph with Fr. Bhaskar Morugudi and Msgr. Benedict Zientek officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Chris Schaefer and Sean Schaefer and nephews, Leonard Gully, Stanley Gully, Richard Pelzel, and Clarence Schaefer, Jr. Military graveside services will follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
The family requests that memorials be made to St. Joseph Special Projects Fund or a favorite charity.