Schaffner

Thomas L. Schaffner Sr., 88, of Center Township died Sunday at his residence.

He was born in Butler, Jan. 20, 1920, a son of the late Paul and Anna Belle Bundy Schaffner.

An active member at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Center Township, he had been an usher and volunteer altar server there.

Mr. Schaffner also had been one of the original volunteers at the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

He had been the manager of the Center Township Little League "Braves" team for many years and was a former volunteer firefighter and EMT at the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department. He also was an avid fisherman and gardener.

A veteran of World War II, he had served in North Africa and Europe with the 154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron of the Army Air Corps and was a member of American Legion Post 945.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Darlene Stewart Schaffner, whom he married July 24, 1947. She died on their anniversary, July 24, of this year. He also was preceded in death by four sisters, five brothers and a granddaughter.

He was the loving father of five daughters, Deborah (Gary) Miller of Penn-Yan, N.Y., Cathy (James) McCormick of New Castle, Ruth Schaffner of Pittsburgh, Mary (Dallas) Sarver of West Sunbury and Barbara Lachesky of Butler; and two sons, Thomas (Bernadette) Schaffner of New Castle and Fulton (Amy) Schaffner of Robison Township; and beloved grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

<B>SCHAFFNER </B>— Friends of Thomas L. Schaffner Sr., who died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, 1660 N. Main St. Ext., Center Township. The Rev. James Salberg, pastor, will officiate. Interment will be at St. Peter Catholic Cemetery.If memorials are desired, the family suggests the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 301, Maryknoll, NY 10545.Additional information can be found and condolence messages placed for the family, at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.