Ernst Milton "Ernie" Schaefer

November 16, 1921 - February 07, 2011

Ernst Milton "Ernie" Schaefer Obituary (Age 89) To the many friends and relatives that were a part of Ernst?s life, we say thank you for your love and blessings for him. Ernst was born in Cleveland, OH on November 16, 1921, the third sibling in a family of five, to Armittie Lewis and Carl Schaefer. He grew up in Erie, PA and was a 1939 graduate of Strong Vincent High School. Ernst had many avenues of interest, among them music, photography, stamp collecting, wine collecting, the stock market and travel. His career in music started as a senior in high school where he was a certified teacher of the Hawaiian steel guitar. His second career was as an aircraft technician with Curtis-Wright. He accepted a position to work on a secret air base in the Persian Gulf in Africa. When that assignment ended, he joined the Merchant Seaman, serving as the Purser, which included the payroll of the crew, and as Pharmacy Mate, the ship?s doctor. The first assignment was to sink the ship at Omaha Beach to make the harbor for the landing of troops and equipment for the D-Day invasion in World War II. He continued to sail after the war for a time. In June of 1946, he married Georgiana Gregson of Philadelphia. To this union three children were born: Jan, Elizabeth Meg and Ernst Milton. Ernie?s career during this time included construction, sales representative for an optical company, and franchise ownership of Manpower Services in Lancaster and York, PA. His marriage to Ruth Droz in 1993 brought him to Spokane, WA. Community Service was high on his agenda. He was active with Habitat for Humanity in both York and Spokane. He served on the vestry at both St. Stephen?s Episcopal Church and Christ The King Anglican Church. He was a working member of Rotary International in York, PA and Spokane Valley Sunrise Rotary with perfect attendance. Ernst is survived by his wife Ruth; children Jan Schaefer, Elizabeth Meg Schaefer and Ernst and Jennifer Schaefer, and grandson Julian Dante Schaefer, all of Pennsylvania; step-children and families, Roger, Marilyn, Daniel and David Droz of Mukilteo, WA; Thomas, Alina, Ruthie and Phoebe Droz; Daniel, Teresa and Mikayla Droz, and Tony Rowley, all of Spokane; 25 Godchildren from Pennsylvania; a brother-in-law in California, a sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials may be given to Christ The King Anglican Church, 1717 W. 6th Ave., Spokane 99204; Rotary International Foundation, or a charity of choice. A Memorial Service honoring Ernie?s life will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 2:00pm at Heritage Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Bohemian Cemetery, Odessa, WA on Memorial Day.