SCHAEFFER Jr., Russell William, "Shafe", passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. He was born on September 11, 1930, in Clayton, Missouri, to Russell Schaeffer, Sr. and Ella (née Pfaffenburger). He spent his early years on the farm in Gillet, Arkansas before returning to start schooling in Missouri. He enrolled in Clayton High School but never completed it, electing to drop out to assist the family with expenses. He enlisted in the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed as a Military Police Officer in Oakland, California because he was the only person in his unit who could ride a motorcycle.

On April 7, 1956, he married Geraldine Anne Rieger at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Richmond Heights. He later completed his GED and received an associate degree in diesel, gasoline engine and automatic transmission mechanics from Bailey Technical School. Throughout his career, his talents took him to McDonnell Douglas (serving on the F4‐E Phantom nosecone prototype team), Western Litho Plate and Supply Company (machine operator and chemical mixer), Hussmann, Ryder Transportation Services and Central States Bus Sales, Inc. Some of his most meaningful work was transporting the students at Missouri School for the Blind to activities. His hobbies always involved wheels. Prior to getting married, he frequently spent evenings racing his stock car at local dirt tracks. His successes were in the car set‐up versus victory lane. Mom grew tired of sitting on stacks of tires during car repairs and put her foot down. Though he no longer raced, he relished the experience which he shared with his children who grew up race fans. Multiple trips to NASCAR races are among his/our fondest memories. If he was not in the garage tinkering, washing and waxing vehicles, he would be pushing a lawnmower or riding the "Snapper" while manicuring his lawn, which he did until the age of 90.

Russell is proceeded in death by his sister, Katherine, his brothers, Charles, and John (Virginia), and his son‐in‐law, Andy Dickey. He is forever cherished and remembered by his wife of 66 years, Gerry (née Rieger), his three children, Steve (Debbie), Dan (Tammy) and Sandy. He is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Brock (Laura), Blake (Jaylin), Brenden, Barrett, Danielle (David), Ryan (Melissa), Ashley, Conrad and great‐grandchildren, Hannah, Ethan, Charlotte, Noah and Lorelei.

Viewing will be at COLLIER'S FUNERAL HOME, 3400 N. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Ann, MO 63074 on Monday, January 16 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will take place at St. Jude's Parish, 2218 N. Warson Road, St. Louis, MO 63114, on Tuesday, January 17 at 10:30 a.m. Burial services will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery immediately following the service at 12:30 p.m. sharp.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Missouri School for the Blind. Obtain a donation form online (https://msb.dese.mo.gov/) and mail to: Missouri School for the Blind, Attn: Supt. Geoffrey Barney, 3815 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.