Donald Ernest Schaefer

Donald Ernest Schaefer, age 85, of Fayetteville, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Willard Walker Hospice House in Fayetteville, Ark. after a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born December 16, 1932 in Searcy, Ark. the son of William Herman and Nancy Whitford Schaefer. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Mills Schaefer in 2012, after 57 years of marriage. Don worked in school and university publications with Hurley Printing Company, Arkansas College, and the University of Arkansas Division of Information. He retired from the University of Arkansas University Relations Department in 1995. In retirement, he wrote the history of several buildings on the University of Arkansas campus. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Arkansas State College and a M. Ed from the University of Arkansas. In college he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Army ROTC. He also was a letterman with the Arkansas State track team, running hurdles and the half-mile. He served in United States Army Corp of Engineers and in the U.S. Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Captain. He served as part of the deacon body at First Baptist Church Jonesboro, Ark., First Baptist Church Batesville, Ark., and University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, where he was a longtime, faithful member. He was active in Gideon's International as a member of the Fayetteville North Camp. Don was a member of Kiwanis International for over 50 years, and served as Lt. Governor of Division 19 in the Arkansas Missouri District. He was also editor of the Arkansas Missouri Kiwanis newsletter for ten years. He was a member of the Washington County Historical Society and served as editor of their publication, The Flashback, winning awards for this publication. He traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states, and camping in most of them. He also traveled to many foreign countries on four different continents. Other hobbies included photography, gardening, reading, genealogy, and stamp collecting. His survivors include his wife of four years, Gloria Johnson Schaefer; three daughters, Ann Covington and husband David, Carol Huneycutt and husband John, of Fayetteville, and Susan Seaman and husband Terry of Knoxville, Tenn.; one brother, Clair Schaefer and wife, Ruth, of Little Rock, Ark. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Matthew Covington, Katie Rogers, and James Covington, of Fayetteville, and Lisa Kieklak of Oklahoma City; Rebecca, Nathan, Caleb, and Noah Seaman of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Jacob, Samuel, and Hannah Huneycutt of Fayetteville. There are also nine great-grandsons. Family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Moore's Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 23 at University Baptist Church, with Pastor Brad Wheeler officiating. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, with Dr. H.D. McCarty officiating. Memorials can be made to The Gideon's International, P.O. Box 3022, Fayetteville, Ark. 72702. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.