Earl M. 'Mike' Schaeffer

Earl Michael "Mike" Schaeffer jr., 95 long time resident of Assaria, KS died Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Brookdale, Hays, KS. He was born April 25th, 1922 in Reading, PA to Earl Sr and Esther (Speck) Schaeffer. He Married Rozella (Olson) Schaeffer on June 23rd, 1945 in Assaira, KS. She proceeded him death in 2005.

He was a retired US Air Force Veteran and a retired office manager of the Salina Planning Mill. He was a survivor of the Japanese Pearl Harbor Air attack on Hickam Air Field, Dec 7th, 1941. He was a Radio Operator & Gunner on B-18 & B-17 aircraft flying 95 missions at Hawaii, The Battle of Midway, Central Pacific, Guadalcanal & Northern Solomon Islands. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters & many other Service medals & Awards.

He was a Radio Operator on the B-29 when it was being tested at Smoky Hill Air field the Summer/Fall of 1943. He was a Master Sergeant & served the air force including 2 tours of Europe in Germany & Formosa. And in the United States in Colorado, Nebraska, Mississippi, Texas and Kansas. He was a recruiting sergeant at Salina & McPherson, KS from 1946-1949.

He was History Buff interested in all Theaters of WWII and primarily in the Pacific. He and Rozella enjoyed traveling back to Hawaii for Pearl Harbor Survivor Reunions. On One trip, they met President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary. He enjoyed listening to music, especially James Last & Mantovani Orchestra. He was an avid collector of Merklien Trains from Germany, Music, Stamps and Coins from around the world. He always believed in doing the right thing and taught this to his sons and grandchildren.

He was a member of the Assaira Lutheran Church, The Pearl Harbor Association, 72nd Bomb Group, 11th Bomb Group, 5th Bomb group, 13th Air force Veterans Association, VFW & American Legion. Distinguished Flying Cross Life Member & Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Life Memorial.

Survivors include two sons, Steven Schaeffer & wife Claudia of Houston, TX and Gary Schaeffer & wife Becky of Hays. Daughter-in-law, Jolene Schaeffer, Hays, 4 Grandchildren, Jordan Schaeffer & wife Sarah, Jill Mall & husband Tucker, Hays, KS, Cherise Schaeffer & friend Stephen Barber, Shawnee, KS. and Alex Schaeffer, Vista, CA & 6 great grandchildren, Noah, Tyler & Maci Schaeffer & Sperry, Tracer & Kimber Mall. Two sisters, Gertrude Nagle of Honeybrook, PA & Barbara Varone of Shillington, PA, one Brother George and Wife Jane Schaeffer of Leeport PA. Sister-in laws Helen Swem, Highlands Ranch, CO & Arlene Schaeffer, Mohten, PA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Robert Schaeffer in 1991 and siblings, Mildred Bond, Doris Schrack & Joel Schaeffer.

Services will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at at the Assaria Lutheran Church, 124 W. First Street in Assaria, KS. with interment in the church cemetery with military honors courtesy of the Salina VFW Post 1432 Honor Guard.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 19, 2017 4 PM - 7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM all at Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory 2509 Vine, Hays, KS

Memorials Suggested to the Assaria Lutheran Church, Assaria, KS.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com











Service Information









Visitation Tuesday

September 19, 2017

4:00 PM to 7:00 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Prayer Service Tuesday

September 19, 2017

6:30 PM



2509 Vine Street

Hays, Kansas 67601









Funeral Service Wednesday

September 20, 2017

11:00 AM

Assaria Lutheran Church

124 w first

assaria, ks 67416