Paul William Schafer, 89, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 5:30 AM, Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM (Noon) Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Father Tomy Philip celebrating mass. The burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with full military rites by the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 AM Thursday, at the church. In loving memory of Paul, memorials may be made to the Jasper Post #20 American Legion or to the Sainte Marie Post #932 American Legion to assist with Veteran’s Christmas. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.
Paul William was born on May 11, 1936, in Newton, Illinois, the son of Elmer and Florence (Rubsam) Schafer. He graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1954. After high school he served in the United States Army from 1957, until 1959. While serving he worked as a mechanic and was stationed in Germany.
Paul married the love of his life, Carol Sue Bunton on November 11, 1960, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois.
Paul became a mechanic in 1959, working for Len Grinker Chevrolet and later Al Rohr Chevrolet. For many years he owned and operated Schafer Garage in Newton which he established in 1966. He was a lifelong member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, and a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus #1704. Paul enjoyed woodworking, and was a proud husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years Carol Schafer of Newton, Illinois, children Brian Schafer of Newton, Illinois, Julie (Rob) Miller of Gays, Illinois and Chad Schafer (fiancé Shannon Clark) of Newton, Illinois, grandchildren Nicole (Travis) Reynolds, Chip Wilson, Levi Schafer (fiancé Erica Hasler), Hannah (Chase) Linn, Rachael Miller, Marcus Schafer, Emma Schafer (Casey Stewart), David Clark and Carter Clark, great grandchildren Riley Linn, Ashton Reynolds, Kodi Reynolds, Weston Reynolds, Charolette Schafer and Paxton Schafer, siblings David Schafer, Ed (Janet) Schafer, Charles (Marilyn) Schafer, and Yvonne Hargis all of Newton, Illinois and Marilyn Cox of Casey, Illinois.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, son Bradley Schafer, brother Kenny Schafer, brothers-in-law Jerry Hargis and Don Cox and sisters-in-law Carole Schafer and Rita Schafer.
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