James “Jim” G Schafer

James Schafer was called home peacefully November 9th, 2023 at Covington Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in East Palestine, Ohio. Our family will be forever grateful to the phenomenal staff and exceptional services provided to Jim and his family throughout his time at Covington.

Jim was born August 20, 1941 in Kent, Ohio and was 82 years old. He graduated from Stowe High school where he played football.  He married the love of his life, Joetta on July 30th, 1962.

Jim and Joetta’s family are as follows: their children- Darlene (Patrick) Schafer, James (Karen, Jill, Dayten, Athena) Schafer, Brian (Amber) Schafer, Danny (Robin) Schafer, Mickie (John, Kim) Kinsey, Cat (Frank) Milhoan, Melissa (DJ) Cook, and Paul LaNeve Jr.

Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Schafer, and sister, Babara Smith. Jim has now joined his son in heaven, Danny Schafer, and Paul R. LaNeve as well as several of his closest friends and family.

His grandchildren include-Kim (Seth) Johnson, Magie (Paulina) Schafer, Kellee (Evan) Cianni, Louie (Autumn) Schafer, Joey (Darla) Schafer, Cynthia (Dominic) Woodruff, Jazlynn, Aliyah, Cole, Jacob, Hannah, Taylor and great grandchildren- Aiden, Jace, Amelia, and Grant.

Jim was devoted to God and his family. He was a true man and kept his word. A handshake was his word of honor.  He was a hard working, good and honest man. Jim was a great father, brother, husband, and friend. He spoke his mind often and no one questioned what he was thinking. He loved his family with all that he had and was devoted to provide for them by whatever means necessary. He and his wife began their own business “J & J Tire” in Lisbon, Ohio in 1975 naming it after “Jim and Jo”. He instilled dedication to his children and taught them, from a very young age, the importance of a good work ethic. Jim was a very strong man and was known by several co-workers to be able to handle carrying, lifting and throwing almost everything! He worked several jobs throughout his lifetime and was a jack of many trades. Including, but not limited to Don Worko construction, Mining company, selling recap tires, Harry Miller, and the Power Plant.

Jim was baptized into Christ as a young adult in 1974 at Cuyahoga Falls Church of Christ. Jim helped build several churches including: Columbiana, Southern Hills and Cuyahoga Falls Churches of Christ. He also helped lead singing and prayer throughout church services. He loved his church family dearly. 

Jim was an avid farmer including growing sweet corn, wheat, soybeans, bailing hay and straw and potatoes. He also raised cattle, chickens, pigs, (and even children!) Jim’s main passion was farming and talking about farming, watching videos of farming, learning about farming, looking at farming equipment, going for a drive to look at fields, and ANYthing farming! When grandma wondered where he was, she would go looking in the fields. Jim farmed almost every single local neighbor’s field. In total around 200 acres, after he retired. He loved going for car rides to look at the fields when he was no longer able to ride on his tractor and eventually was only able to watch YouTube videos (like Trinity Farms) and tv shows about farming. Jim even moved his family to Lisbon, Ohio from Cuyahoga Falls because he loved the farmland in the area so much.  

Jim loved growing sweet corn. He would grow the corn and then the kids and his family would go out in the early morning to pick corn together every morning in the summer. Later, they would sell the corn outside of his home. He and his wife Joetta enjoyed doing this so the grandkids could buy school clothes with the money they raised each summer selling the sweet corn. There were so many memories made with the family selling corn in the summers at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. 

Jim’s family will always cherish the memories and the lessons taught throughout his lifetime. He will be missed dearly. Jim’s legacy of living his life as a worker for God will live on through his family forever.

The closeness of family was very important to Jim and the family suggests that everyone “Pay it Forward” by sharing a meal with family, friends and neighbors or performing a random act of kindness this holiday season to honor his memory.

2 Timothy 2:15“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Family and friends may visit the Martin Chapel of Care Funeral & Cremation Specialists in Calcutta on Friday, November 17, 2023 from 4PM-7PM.  The funeral will be held at 7PM with Minister Seth Johnson officiating.  There will be a private family burial held on Saturday at Riverview Cemetery.