Raymond Schaffer Obituary

Raymond "Bud" Schaffer

Jun 1, 2025

Willard

The Willard community is mourning the loss of Raymond "Bud" Schaffer, 94, who passed peacefully Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Mercy ealth - Hospital Willard, surrounded by his loving family.

Bud was born in Norwalk, November 8, 1930, to Jerome (Joe) and Lillian Schaffer. He attended Norwalk St. Paul school until his father moved the family to Willard in 1940 to own the Mobil Gas Station. Bud then attended and graduated from Willard High School.

Following high school, Bud worked for the railroad and the Pioneer Balloon Company before serving his country in the Navy (1951) as an electrician on the USS Valley Forge, where he experienced wartime action during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy following an automobile accident in 1954.

Following his time in the service, Bud went to work with his father at the Mobil gas station in downtown Willard. He was approached in 1963 to become a Rambler dealer, and so began his career as a Willard businessman. In 1964, Bud added the Dodge franchise and, in 1966, took on Honda motorcycles. In 1974, he purchased a Pontiac-Buick dealership and later added Chrysler-Jeep-Plymouth until he handed over his business to his son in 2001. Bud proudly met the automotive needs of the Willard community for 38 years as an automobile dealer.

Bud was one of the original 16 investors who purchased Sutton Bank from Centran Corp. in 1985 and served on the bank's Board of Directors for 19 years, including a term as Chairman. He was a member of the Exclusive Investment Club, the Knights of Columbus (having once served as Grand Knight), a Member of the Mercy Willard Hospital Foundation, and received the Wasserman Award in 2014. Additionally, he was a member of Willard Elks. Bud was also a member of Car Coddlers Club of Ohio.

During his time in the service, Bud married a beautiful young nurse named Norma Loretta Lofland. They shared 53 glorious years together raising six children, serving their community and parish, and enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bud was a parishioner and deep believer at St. Francis Xavier Church, Willard. Bud enjoyed playing Rummikub, traveling, car collecting, furniture restoration, and spending time with his family. He was a generous donor to many charities and organizations.

Bud is survived by a family who loved him fiercely, including daughter, Chris Jacobs; daughter, Beth (Bill) Goodsite; son, Mike (Deb) Schaffer, all of Willard; and daughter, Julie (Lanny) Jackson of Lafayette, Louisiana; and son-in-law, Dane (Val) Moll of Visalia, California; sisters, Marilyn (Claude) Keaton and Corrine Bittikofer, both of Willard; grandchildren, Ryan (Tiffany) Jacobs, Dustin (Morgan) Jacobs, Kyle (Melanie) Jacobs, Casey Goodsite, Caitlin Goodsite, Cody Jackson, Ked (Amie) Jackson, Joe (Kylie) Jackson, Tommy (Cydnie) Jackson, Austin (Michelle) Schaffer, Shelby Schaffer, Jackson Schaffer, Landon Schaffer, Nathan Moll, and Case Moll; along with 18 great-grandchildren. Bud is also survived by loving companion, Alma Heisler of Willard, OH.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Joe and Lillian Schaffer; adoring wife, Norma (Lofland) Schaffer; daughter, Becky (Schaffer) Moll; son, Tommy Schaffer; grandson, Nicholas Moll; and grandson, Corey Goodsite.

Bud's family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2025, at Secor Funeral Home in Willard. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon Saturday, June 7, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Church, Willard. Private interment for family will follow later this summer at St. Joseph Cemetery in Willard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Willard Mercy Hospital Foundation or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Online condolences can be made to Bud's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com