Donald Schaefer

Donald Richard Schaefer, 73, of Cape Girardeau, passed away on Nov. 24, 2020, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Born Nov. 6, 1947, in Waukegan, Illinois, to Walter B. and Jean B. Fredrick Schaefer, Don was one of 11 children. He and Diane Mirly were married June 28, 1969, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. They proudly celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019.

Don was a graduate of Jackson High School. During the Vietnam War, he honorably served in the U.S. Navy from March 22, 1966 to Feb. 20, 1969, as a Seabee. Don was especially proud to be a Seabee and truly believed in the Seabee credo: "Seabees can do." He was originally stationed with the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (MCB) 11, Port Hueneme, California, and was later part of Seabee Team 1112 as a Utilitiesman (UT-2) from June 1968 until February 1969. In total, he spent 28 months abroad and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/FMF, one Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device and a Navy Unit Commendation.

Don worked as a plumber for Vernon Werner and Warren Skinner prior to joining the military. Upon his return from Vietnam, he continued in that job for several years before becoming a long haul truck driver. He owned and operated his own truck for more than 20 years, hauling mostly produce all over the country, from North Dakota to Texas and even to Florida on occasion. He later drove for Byron Lang Trucking, USF Holland, Tom Beussink and Ron Kucera, among others. He also worked extensively on the reconstruction of the Taum Sauk Levee after a flood destroyed it in 2005.

Don was a member of St. Mary Cathedral, the Elks and Eagles, all in Cape Girardeau. He greatly enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting and fishing.

Loving survivors include his wife of 51 years, Diane Schaefer of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Christopher (Molly) Schaefer and son Grant of Jackson; Bryan (Jamie) Schaefer and son Oliver of Covington, Kentucky; and six siblings, Ken (Kate) Schaefer of Cape Girardeau, Joe (Connie) Schaefer of St. Peters, Missouri, Jim (Cindy) Schaefer of Barnhart, Missouri, Eddie Schaefer of Perryville, Missouri, Karen Schaefer of Jackson, Theresa (Dan) Ho of Plainfield, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two adult siblings, Mary Ann Schaefer and William Schaefer; a young sister, Louise Schaefer; and an infant sister, Helen Schaefer.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Mary Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, with celebrant, the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Committal and military honors are private at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Don's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.