Eugene C. 'Gene' Schaefer

Gene Schaefer, 94, of Navarre, Fla., and formerly of Anna, died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at his home. 

He was born on Aug. 19, 1925, in Wolf Lake, the son of Raymond C. and Lena M. Markert Schaefer. 

He married Barbara Peters on Jan. 5, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

Mr. Schaefer is survived by is wife, Barbara Schaefer of Navarre, Fla..; daughters Carolyn (Tom) Tripp of Anna, Teresa (Paul) McCracken of Spicewood, Texas, Jeanine Schaefer of Anna and Ramona (Eric) Milles of Paducah; a stepson, Wendell Hastings of Navarre, Fla; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren on the way; a brother, Jim Schaefer of Jonesboro; and many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents;an  infant daughter, Rachel Denise Schaefer; two brothers, Carrol A. and Cyril Schaefer; and one sister, Ellen Sergeant.

Mr. Schaefer honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In recent years he  was selected to attend the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., with other local veterans. He was a member of Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna. 

He worked many years for Trojan Powder Company in Wolf Lake and later as a security guard. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing. He and his wife Barbara attended the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro before moving to Florida. 

Funeral services were at noon Saturday, Dec. 21, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna, with the Rev. Tony Foeller officiating. 

Interment was in Jonesboro Cemetery. Graveside military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna and the U.S. Navy funeral honor detail.

Memorials can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com. 

Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna was in charge of arrangements.