- Date Of Birth: June 21, 1918
- Date Of Death: June 5, 2018
- State: Illinois
John A. Schaeffer, 99, of Springfield, IL, formerly of Beardstown and Virginia, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center.
He was born on June 21, 1918, in Beardstown, IL to Albert and Edna (Thompson) Schaeffer. He married Julia Lee Davis on January 18, 1941, and she preceded him in death in 2010. He was also preceded in death by their daughter, Nancy Adams.
He is survived by his daughter, Sue Schaeffer (husband, Art Bowden) of Springfield, granddaughters, Kate (Paul) Lydston of Aurora, IL and Wende (Justin) Sinclair of Grand Rapids, MI, great grandchildren, Julia, Iain and Alison Baker of Aurora and Sawyer Sinclair of Grand Rapids, special friend, Beverly Bailey of Springfield, and several nieces and nephews.
John graduated from Beardstown High School and Illinois Wesleyan University. A member of the greatest generation, John served during WWII in the US Navy as a Seabee in the Pacific Theater and the Aleutian Islands. He retired from the Insurance Services Office. He was the mayor of Virginia, IL for 12 years. John loved music, having sung in the church choir and in his younger years performed in a quartet around central Illinois. He was a St. Louis Cardinals and University of Illinois basketball fan. He also loved the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
