Melvin Charles Schafer was born on January 14, 1937 in Longdale, Oklahoma, to George and Erma (Becker) Schafer, and passed from this life to eternal rest on February 21, 2026.

At the age of 7 months, they moved to Galva, Kansas, where he spent his growing up years and attended Galva and then South Diamond country school. He went to western Kansas and drove tractor for some bigger farmers and worked around home as well as helping build Sunflower school.

Dad was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite and remained true to his faith until the end.

During the war, he put in two years as a conscientious objector working as an orderly at Larned Mental hospital from 1955-1957 and came away with many experiences he enjoyed relating. When he came home, he started working at American Coach Company as an electrician, wiring their mobile homes.

Dad was joined in marriage to Irene Unruh at Lonetree congregation on January 12, 1958, and they started their early married life in a little house in Galva, then moved a few miles east of Galva and eventually to a small farm in Goessel, Kansas. In addition to Dad working in the trailer factory for 15 years, he also had a large flock of sheep and farmed some land as well, which created long hours for him.

To their union were born 4 children, two sons and two daughters. They moved to Barron, Wisconsin in April of 1971 to pursue dairy farming with his brother, Vernon. His farm equipment came up to the farm on the Soo line and we arrived in a U Haul in a snow storm, questioning our choices.

Dad was a hard worker and forward thinker, making several improvements to the dairy farm. He and Vernon were in partnership for many years, sharing equipment and labor. He enjoyed working the land and raising his own feed for the dairy. He was a well read, intelligent man and a lifelong learner, always staying abreast of what was going on in the world and community. He loved reading about history and sharing things he learned as well as discussing events, politics, and religion.

Dad had a generous heart and would give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, often loaning his equipment and hands to other farmers in the area. He was very involved and instrumental in starting the church school and served several terms on the school board committee; not something he always enjoyed but fulfilled to the best of his ability. He wasn't a perfect man but was always willing to apologize.

Dad poured himself into being a father and husband, always paving the way by example of good work ethics, morals and a strong compass for what was right. Dad was devoted to Mom, serving her in so many ways as a husband and provider. Throughout his life, Dad encountered many medical challenges, with multiple surgeries including a leg amputation and often high levels of pain, which he faced with unwavering courage and stoicism and never complained.

Irene and her family would also like to extend a deep and heartfelt thanks to the caregivers and staff at Woodstone Senior Living in Rice Lake where he spent his last few years. Dad was always very appreciative of the attentive care he received while living there and had a special place in his heart for all of his caregivers and his grandfatherly relationship with them.

Dad leaves behind to mourn his passing his faithful wife of 68 years, Irene, four children, Mark and wife, Raeleen of Barron, WI. Krista and husband, Wendel Goertzen of Madrid, NE, RaDean and wife, Cheryl of Barron, WI, Audrey and husband, Greg Loiselle of Chetek, WI; 19 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, DeWayne and wife, Thelma of Dalhart, TX, Vernon and wife, Sherry of Barron, WI, David and wife, Jane of Dalhart, TX; two sisters, LaWanda and the late Verlin Koehn of Galva, Kansas, DeAnn and husband, Jim Koehn of Montrose, Colorado.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Erma Schafer and sister, Edith Schafer.

A funeral service for Melvin will be held on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Barron Mennonite Church in Barron. Visitation will be on Monday, February 23 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the church and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday morning. Burial will be at the Barron Mennonite Cemetery.

Last Update: Feb 23, 2026 10:33 am CST