Home > United States of America > Washington > Pierce County > Tacoma > Trinity Lutheran Cemetery > Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer

Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer

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Birth	:	23 Nov 1925 Odessa, Lincoln County, Washington, USA
Death	:	3 Nov 2019 Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.1329600, -122.4211120
Description	:	Delbert (Del) Schafer of Tacoma, Washington, passed away peacefully at Swedish Hospital in Seattle on November 3, 2019. He was born in Odessa, Washington on November 23, 1925, the son of Henry and Lydia Kissler Schafer Frieske. Del graduated from Odessa High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S Navy during World War II, where he served at the Naval Hospital in San Diego until 1945. He returned to Eastern Washington for a short time and worked in the wheat farms in the Odessa and Ritzville area. A major turning point in Del's life was his enrollment at Pacific... Read More	Delbert (Del) Schafer of Tacoma, Washington, passed away peacefully at Swedish Hospital in Seattle on November 3, 2019. He was born in Odessa, Washington on November 23, 1925, the son of Henry and Lydia Kissler Schafer Frieske. Del graduated from Odessa High School in 1943. He enlisted in the U.S Navy during World War II, where he served at the Naval Hospital in San Diego until 1945. He returned to Eastern Washington for a short time and worked in the wheat farms in the Odessa and Ritzville area. A major turning point in Del's life was his enrollment at Pacific Lutheran College (PLC) in 1946, where he majored in education and excelled on the basketball and track teams, coached by Marv Harshman. At PLC he met the love of his life, Afton (Hjelm) Schafer and they married on June 5, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland. Their three sons, Brad, Craig, and Kevin, were raised in the Midland/Parkland area where Del and Afton served as educators in the Franklin Pierce School District. After teaching 7th grade at Collins School and science at Franklin Pierce high school, he became athletic director and head basketball coach. Del was named to the Washington State Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 1986. His passion for basketball and his belief in the development of young adults through athletics is a legacy that connected him to his former players over the years. With delight, he shared stories about his days in athletics and remembered all his former players. In 1969 he was appointed principal of the new Washington High School in Parkland. He went on to be the Associate Superintendent and Superintendent of the Franklin Pierce School District. Del served on the Board of the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association. Del loved family time at their Midland home and summer days at Hood Canal where many of his close friends also summered. Del was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 70 years. This was another place for him to connect with his friends and the PLU community. From humble beginnings during the Great Depression, to serving his country in WWII, as a student athlete, dedicated educator, and coach, he was always a contributing community member. He strongly believed in the potential of his students, athletes, colleagues, friends and family. Del was preceded in death by his parents, sister Patricia Nichols, and brothers Gerald and Robert Schafer. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Afton; sons Bradford of Bend, Oregon; Craig (Lisa) of Seattle; and Kevin of Muscat, Oman; grandchildren Talia and Torin; brother Dennis Schafer of Portland; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 12115 Park Avenue South, in Tacoma. A reception will follow in the Trinity Fellowship Hall. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland, or the Delbert C. Schafer Endowment Fund for Athletics at Pacific Lutheran University.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer's memorial?
Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer's memorial is located at: Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Tacoma, Pierce County, USA.
When did Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer death?
Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer death on 3 Nov 2019 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Delbert Clifford “Del” Schafer's memorial?
Latitude: 47.1329600
Longitude: -122.4211120

Family Members:

Parent

Henry Schafer Jr.

(1901 - 1946)

Lydia Kissler Frieske

(1906 - 1982)

Spouse

Afton Rose Hjelm Schafer

(1925 - 2020)

Siblings

Patricia JoAnn Schafer Nichols

(1940 - 2016)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1329600, -122.4211120

2. Parkland Lutheran Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1328940, -122.4253230

3. Fir Lane Memorial Park
Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0970650, -122.4196014

4. Spanaway Cemetery
Spanaway, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0972140, -122.4313720

5. Mountain View Memorial Park
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1794014, -122.4916992

6. Home Of Peace Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1781006, -122.5081024

7. Calvary Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1921997, -122.5038986

8. Old Pioneer Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1907501, -122.5086517

9. Tacoma Mausoleum
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2087212, -122.4773712

10. Pauper County Public Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2096000, -122.4759000

11. Oakwood Hill Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2097015, -122.4775009

12. Old Settlers Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1486110, -122.5472220

13. Tacoma Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2118988, -122.4766998

14. Woodbine Cemetery
Puyallup, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1711006, -122.3005981

15. Byrd Cemetery
Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1847160, -122.5348600

16. Wren Family Cemetery
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0349760, -122.4561880

17. Western State Hospital Memorial Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1734010, -122.5589840

18. Steilacoom Masonic Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1497460, -122.5737970

19. Old Puyallup Indian Cemetery
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2386050, -122.3991860

20. Fort Steilacoom Cemetery
Lakewood, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1787280, -122.5681930

21. Firwood Indian Cemetery
Puyallup, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2155550, -122.3093000

22. New Tacoma Cemetery
University Place, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2016983, -122.5586014

23. Chambers Creek Pet Memorial Park
University Place, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.1991000, -122.5649000

24. Life Center Assembly of God Church Memorial Garden
Tacoma, Pierce County, USA
Coordinate: 47.2443690, -122.4818980