Gerald Schafer

Gerald W. Schafer, 90, of Reinbeck, Iowa, formerly of Grundy Center, Iowa, died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, Iowa, of natural causes.

Gerald was born July 24, 1918, in New Hartford, Iowa, the son of Herman and Harriett (Watkins) Schafer. Gerald was raised in Grundy County and received his education from Grundy Center High School. He then attended Bradley Tech, in Peoria, Illinois to take a course in horology. Gerald then worked for Gruen Watch Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. On April 28, 1940, Gerald was united in marriage to Maxine Faye Bockes in Grundy Center. He entered the United States Navy in January of 1944 and returned home December of 1945. Gerald and Maxine returned to the Grundy area where he worked for Sonotone Hearing Aids, Waterloo Tent and Awning and then started Schafer Hearing Aid Center in Waterloo. They loved to travel and camp in their camper. Gerald was an avid reader, who loved to read romance books.

He is survived by his sons Gerald (Anne)Schafer of Mountain Home, Idaho, Paul (Doris) Schafer of Grundy Center, Steven (Cathy) Schafer of Adel and Dean(Vickie) Schafer of Marshalltown; daughter Mary(Mark) Liston of Grundy Center;  18 grandchildren; 23 great – grandchildren. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Maxine; and one brother, Marvin Schafer.