Linda Schafer

Over the course of a rich life that ranged across the country, Linda Diane Schafer demonstrated a devotion to family above all else. In the midst of changes great and small, Linda was the consummate mother who worked to build a home for her family across the generations. Whenever a family member ran into tough times or needed some help, Lindas door was always open. These traits can be traced back to her childhood, where she learned from the example of her own mother and older sisters. Toward the end of 1946, the nation was beginning to move out of the shadow of World War II. After years of economic depression and war, a new world was emerging and despite the desire of many to return to the stability of earlier years, it was a time of rapid change: returning soldiers took advantage of the GI Bill to attend college, families began settling in newly created suburbs, and televisions began to replace radios as the center of family entertainment. In Reed City, Michigan, Raymond and Genevieve Sindle celebrated the New Year early with the birth of their daughter Linda on December 30, 1946. Linda was the youngest of five children and grew up in the Reed City and White Cloud area with her older brother James and sisters Shirley, Betty Jean, and Mary. The family experienced some early difficulties after Lindas father passed away when she was just six years old. Her mother later married Louis Percy who raised the children as his own. These were some lean years for the young family, but they came together to make it through. Louis worked in a sawmill to provide for the family while Genevieve stayed at home to raise the children. Lindas sisters also played a significant role raising her in her younger years, and helped instill the values that led her to dedicate so much of her adult life to taking care of family. Linda wasnt much for school, so she quit after ninth grade. A few years later, she began her own family with her first husband, George Gilstrap. The couple had two daughters, Genevieve and Shirley. The family moved to California in the late 1960s, but before long returned home to Michigan. After her marriage to George ended, Linda completed her family with Eugene Schafer. Linda and Eugene married on May 24, 1974 and welcomed four more daughters: Diana, Jean, Angela and Amy. Over the years, Linda and her family lived in many places including Mississippi, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, Texas and Oregon before returning to Michigan for good shortly after the turn of the century. Throughout each of these moves and into her later years, Linda was the constant for her family. She loved being a mom and raising kids, and when her family needed her, she took in her grandchildren and adopted her great-grandson, Joseph. She was the Mom you could always depend on, and her home was always open to those who needed her most. Linda was there for the births of nearly all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she loved to collect mementos of their lives and mark milestones as they grew. She was the family archivist with a variety of baby teeth, school photos, spelling tests, and report cards proudly saved. Over the years, Linda experienced her share of health issues, but she never let them slow her down or get in the way of caring for her family. She was a loving wife for over forty years who was committed to her role as a homemaker. She kept a clean house and was a great cook, renowned for her chicken (fried and roasted), spaghetti, Italian breakfast, and fried tomatoes. Lindas love of dogs also speaks to her penchant for caring and nurturing at one point she had more than fifteen at the same time, and her favorites were Chihuahuas, Rottweilers, and Pit Bulls. In her free time, she enjoyed playing Bingo and hunting through the local Goodwill store for bargains and treasures to collect or gift to others. Linda leaves behind a legacy of love and commitment to family above all else. She was remarkable for her ability to share that legacy with so many generations. She will never be forgotten and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched. Mrs. Linda Diane Schafer, age 68, passed away Friday, December 25, 2015. She was born in Reed City, Michigan on December 30, 1946 to Ray & Gennieve (Hawley) Sindle and married Eugene Schafer on May 24, 1974. Mrs. Schafer was a homemaker who loved her husband, children and grandchildren, her dogs, playing bingo and having coffee with her friends. SURVIVORS: Husband, Eugene; daughters, Gennieve Gilstrap from California, Shirley (James) Langlois from Muskegon, Diana Gilstrap from Muskegon, Jean Tollenaar of Stanwood, Angela (Corky) Hollister of Stanwood, Amy Schafer of Sheridan; son, Joseph Schafer; step-daughters, Christine Schafer of Grand Rapids, Helen (Tom) Miller of Cedar Springs. She was preceded in death by brother, James; sisters, Shirley, Betty Jean, Mary. SERVICE: Wednesday, December 30, 2015, 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon.