Robert "Mike" Schaffer (Lebanon)

January 23, 1943 - March 2, 2022

Robert Michael “Mike” Schaffer, son of Thadilius Ted and Isabell Wright Schaffer, was born January 23, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri. He departed this life Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of seventy-nine years, one month, and twenty-nine days. On December 1, 1976, he was united in marriage to Cindy Lynn Barclay, and to this union a daughter and four sons were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Vicki Ikerd. Mike, as he was called by his family and friends, is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Cindy, of the home in Springfield, Missouri; a daughter, Janna Cox, and her husband, Jeff, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; four sons, Ryan Schaffer, and his wife, Jillian, of Springfield, Missouri, Jamie Schaffer, and his wife, Stephanie, of Liberty, Missouri, Jamie Schaffer, of Springfield, Missouri, and Mark Schaffer, and his wife, Astria, of Lutz, Florida; eleven grandchildren, Valerie, Madison, Syera, Dylan, Nykki, Lincoln, Luke, Xander, Jordan, Taylor, and Seth; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He moved with his family to Phillipsburg, Missouri early in his life and attended Phillipsburg School. He then graduated from Conway High School. He attended Southwest Missouri State University, in Springfield, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Psychology. He was principal and a teacher at Phillipsburg School for a few years, and then joined the State of Missouri Department of Employment where he worked for many years. After he and Cindy were married, they made their home in Springfield, and lovingly raised their family. He enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activity was camping. He liked playing and watching basketball, and enjoyed going to all of his grandchildren’s sporting events. He liked taking care of their swimming pool, and loved newspaper comics. He liked classic cars, enjoyed tinkering and being a handyman. He also loved collecting socks. He took his first flight two weeks ago on an emergency transport to University of Kansas Medical Center. He kept his family central in his life and especially enjoyed having time with his grandchildren. Mike was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and was a caring friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.