The Reverend Lawrence E. Schafer Obituary (1956

Rev. Lawrence E. "Larry" Schafer, age 56, of North Vernon, Indiana entered this life on May 30, 1956 in Madison, Indiana. He was the loving son of the late, Francis "Frankie" and Dorissey E. "Momo" Moores Schafer. He was raised in Madison and was a 1975 graduate of Madison Consolidated High School. Larry earned his Bachelor's Degree in Criminology from Indiana State University. He received his ministry certificates from Boyce College of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "L.E." as his family referred to him, was united in marriage on August 22, 1981 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison to Susan Howard. This happy union was blessed with five daughters, Jessica, Rachel, Andrea, Lydia and Rebecca. He had served as the first director at the Jefferson County Youth Shelter in Madison and as a family teacher at the Huddleston Baptist Children's Home in Centralia, Illinois. L.E. had served as Pastor for the following Southern Indiana churches; First Baptist Church in Spencer, Vernon Baptist Church, the Dillsboro Baptist Church and as Youth Pastor at the Hanover Baptist Church. At the time of his death, he was the Pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in Crothersville, Indiana for the past ten years and employed as the Quality Manager at Archer Consultation Services in North Vernon for the past 11 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially his grandson. L.E. studied Martial Arts for 40 years and had received his Fourth Degree Black Belt. L.E. was the owner and head instructor of Vernon Community Martial Arts. He was a spiritual director of the National Karate Jiu-Jitsu Union International and the National Martial Arts Association. He had served as an instructor, teacher & donor for the American Red Cross for many years. Larry's final act of kindness was that he was an organ and tissue donor and was able to provide life to others in his death. Larry died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 7:30 a.m. in Madison, Indiana. A LOVING FAMILY "L.E." will be missed by his loving wife of thirty two years: Susan Howard Schafer of North Vernon, Indiana; his loving daughters: Jessica E. Schafer of North Vernon, Indiana, Rachel M. Montgomery and her husband, Airman First Class, Mark Montgomery of Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Andrea L. Ticknor of Chicago, Illinois, Lydia E. Gabbard and her husband, Garreck of North Vernon, Indiana, Rebecca J. Schafer of North Vernon, Indiana; his adoring grandson: Urijah E. Gabbard of North Vernon, Indiana; his sisters: Beverly Akers and her husband, Terry of Bethlehem, Georgia, Mary Frances Lauter and her husband, Galen of Hanover, Indiana, Diana Mahoney and her husband, James of Madison, Indiana; his father in law: Norris Wayne Howard of Madison, Indiana; his brothers in law: Bill Stites of Madison, Indiana, John M. Howard and his partner, Dr. Fred McCall of San Francisco, California; his sister in law: Jane Wakeland and her husband, Robert of Greenfield, Indiana; his uncles and aunts: Paul Delbert and Veronica Moore of Madison, Indiana, John and Sharon Schafer of Madison, Indiana, Bernard "Boo" Schafer of Madison, Indiana, Elma J. Schafer of Madison, Indiana; several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his father, Francis "Frankie" Schafer died, May 14, 1998; his mother, Dorissey E. "Momo" Moores Schafer died, March 23, 2011; his sister, Pearl Elizabeth Stites died, July 21, 2010; his mother in law, Mary Alice Furnish Howard died, April 23, 2011; his grandparents, Benjamin Franklin & Maggy Pearl Lawrence Moores; Francis Edward and Sarah Elizabeth Schafer. CELEBRATION OF LIFE CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., by Pastor Frank J. McGee, Dr. Roy Lauter, Pastor Allan Lewis and Rev. Harold Carter at the North Madison Baptist Church, 1906 Orchard Street in Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana and Thursday from 12 Noon until time of the service at the North Madison Baptist Church, 1906 Orchard Street in Madison, Indiana. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to The Rev. Lawrence Schafer Memorial Fund. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of The Reverend Lawrence E. Schafer, please click here to visit our sympathy store.