Mary Catherine (Smith) Schafer

Mary Catherine (Smith) Schafer, age 95, of Portland passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 14, 2022. A loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, was born on December 6, 1926 to Leo and Antoinette (Fedewa) Smith. Mary was a faithful and devoted member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Portland. Along with being a hard-working homemaker, Mary also worked at Holley Carburetor during the WWII effort and in the catering business for many years. She enjoyed camping, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, and playing cards. Mary loved her family dearly and she was proud to have lived on the farm for over 69 years where she and her husband, Marvin, raised their family and made countless memories that will be cherished forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband of 69 years, Marvin Schafer; sons, Ronald, Larry, and Patrick (infant) Schafer; daughter, Marlene (Schafer) Walser; siblings, Carl (Rose) Smith, Delbert (Roselyn) Smith, James (Marilyn) Smith, Jerome Smith, Loretta (Alvin) Thelen, Joann (Ernie) Thelen, Viola (Francis) Fedewa, and Lucille (Gerald) Fedewa; in-laws, Clarence Schafer, Alvin Schafer, Stephen Schafer, Frederick (Catherine) Schafer, Donald Schafer, Esther Schafer, Marie (infant) Schafer, Elfriede Schafer, Art Schafer, and Dorothy (Stanley) Trierweiler. Surviving are her loving children, Janice Glassmire, Julie (Thomas, Jr.) Brennan, Yvonne (Gary) Watkins, Marie (Nelson) Monroe, Steven (Marie) Schafer, and Deanna (Tad) Drake; son-in-law, Jeffrey Walser; many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; in-laws, Irene Lischkge, Bertha Roggenbuck, Mildred Schafer, Rita Bashore, Justin Schafer, Marie Schafer, Pauline Schafer, Joyce Schafer-Davis, and Carlene Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Larry King at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 17, 2022 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Rite of Committal will follow in Portland Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a rosary being prayed at 3:00 p.m. at the Lehman Funeral Home, 210 E. Bridge Street, Portland. For those wishing, contributions may be made to Hospice of Lansing, St. Patrick School, or the St. Patrick Athletic Association in memory of Mary. Online condolences may be made at www.lehmanfuneralhomes.com.

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