Howard Schaffer

The funeral service for Howard Schaffer, 85, will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2013 at Central Christian Church. Rev John McLemore of Central Christian Church and Rev Leanne Wade of United Congregational Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Howard Dale Schaffer was born at home in Enid, OK on December 1, 1927 to Lewis and Daisy Overstreet Schaffer. He had an older brother, Richard. His father worked for ONG and died in 1933 when Howard was five years old. Howard started working as a shoe shine boy when he was eleven years old and worked until retiring for 38 year career with State Farm Insurance.

He joined the US Navy in April 1944 where he was a MM3C on the USS Colorado. He was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the 60 day bombardment of Okinawa. His battle station was loading the large turret guns. He was able to see the Japanese representatives arrive on the deck of the USS Missouri to sign the surrender. He recalled sailing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge into the Port of San Francisco. The Colorado came in last as Navy tradition dictated that the ship out the longest is to receive honor upon return.

He married Peggy Miller on December 15, 1946. He worked for French Unique Dry Cleaners, and National Life and Accident. His daughter, Jenny was born in 1948 and he was recalled to the Navy in 1950 to serve on the destroyer USS McDermott. After his return to Enid, he worked numerous jobs with Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company and Jewel Tea Company. Daughter Pamelia was born in 1954 and he started working with State Farm Insurance.

Howard was involved with the American Legion Baseball program for many years and with the American Legion for over sixty years. He represented Oklahoma veterans at the dedication of the Korean War Veterans Monument in Washington, DC.

Many former clients have spoken of his devotion to their care as their State Farm Agent. He was a husband of 66 ½ years to Peggy of Enid, a father of two daughters, Jenny Wade of Stockton, CA and Pamelia Lenker (Norman) of Enid; a grandfather to Leanne Wade, Lesli Snow (Kevin), Laurie Forrest (Joshua), Shawn Bogue and Sarah Bogue. A great grandfather to Aubrie and Ashlie Minter, Branden Hilton, Austin Snow, Baeleigh Henshall, Mateo, Emmanuel and Benjamin Forrest and a great great grandfather to Brooklynn Nance.

Memorials may be made to the Enid Argonne Post #4 American Legion Renovation Fund. Condolences may be made online at ladusauevans.com