Edward Schafer
December 17, 1925 – February 25, 2023
Edward Schafer, 97, passed away on Feb. 25, 2023, at his home in Sun City Center, Florida.
Pastor Ed, who was born Dec. 17, 1925, in Hazel Park, Michigan, to William and Flossie Schafer, was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene, Theresa, Edna; and brother Bill. He is survived by his wife Judy; daughters, Joanne (Dennis) Watson and Carol Corcoran; eight amazing grandchildren, Rebecca, Laura, Heidi, Joy, Danny, Christine, Melody and Carrie; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
After serving in World War II, Ed attended Moody Bible Institute where he met his beloved wife Judy. After graduating from Moody and Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago, he began his ministry as a pastor. Having a call to serve smaller churches within the Baptist General Conference, he started the Cornerstone Family Church in Byron, Illinois, and then served congregations in Illinois, South Dakota, Indiana, Florida and, finally, as associate pastor at Trinity Baptist in Sun City Center. He retired from ministry at age 90.
Pastor Ed had a heart for family camp, leading congregational singing and visiting the sick and shut-in (he held services at Plaza West for over 20 years). His family will always remember him as a prayer warrior, praying every morning and evening for them by name.
A memorial service was held at Trinity Baptist Church on March 6. A military honor service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery in May. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Timothy Initiative at
Pastor Ed, who was born Dec. 17, 1925, in Hazel Park, Michigan, to William and Flossie Schafer, was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene, Theresa, Edna; and brother Bill. He is survived by his wife Judy; daughters, Joanne (Dennis) Watson and Carol Corcoran; eight amazing grandchildren, Rebecca, Laura, Heidi, Joy, Danny, Christine, Melody and Carrie; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
After serving in World War II, Ed attended Moody Bible Institute where he met his beloved wife Judy. After graduating from Moody and Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago, he began his ministry as a pastor. Having a call to serve smaller churches within the Baptist General Conference, he started the Cornerstone Family Church in Byron, Illinois, and then served congregations in Illinois, South Dakota, Indiana, Florida and, finally, as associate pastor at Trinity Baptist in Sun City Center. He retired from ministry at age 90.
Pastor Ed had a heart for family camp, leading congregational singing and visiting the sick and shut-in (he held services at Plaza West for over 20 years). His family will always remember him as a prayer warrior, praying every morning and evening for them by name.
A memorial service was held at Trinity Baptist Church on March 6. A military honor service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery in May. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Timothy Initiative at