Obituary of Jonathan D. Schaffer

Jonathan D. Schaffer Of Endicott, NY Jonathan D. Schaffer, 81, of Endicott, NY, died Monday afternoon, June 11, 2007, at Lourdes Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his parents, John H. and Ella M. Schaffer; and his brothers, Henry and Clyde R. Schaffer. His surviving sisters are Violetta Kenhart, Binghamton, NY and Genevieve Casselbury, Binghamton, NY. Jonathan is survived by his wife of 60 years, Etta Schaffer; three daughters and their spouses, Kathleen and William Hanzalik, Greene, NY., Marilyn and Glenn Hanson, Winter Haven, Fla., Diane and Michael Clarke, Boiceville, NY; two sons, Jonathan D. Schaffer Jr. and wife, Andrea, Maine, NY, and Dean Schaffer, Endicott, NY; eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Jonathan was a veteran of World War II assigned to US Naval Group China under the command of Admiral Milton E. Miles. He was one of 1020 US Navy personnel who comprised the United States military component of the 2500 member SACO (Sino American Cooperative Organization). His duties as a Scout and Raider (predecessor of the US Navy SEALS) involved thousands of miles of travel in the Pacific Theater, performing various clandestine military intelligence operations. He was an employee of the Maine-Endwell School District retiring after 30 years of service. Prior to being debilitated by congestive heart failure, Jonathan was well-known for his love of gardening and his generosity with the fruits of his labors. He appreciated all aspects of the great outdoors and particularly enjoyed any opportunity he had to go boating, fishing or hunting. The funeral service will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the Coleman and Daniels Funeral Home, 300 E. Main St., Endicott, NY. The Rev. Brown Naik, Pastor of the Union Center United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Maine Cemetery, Maine. The family will receive friends, 5:00 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.