Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ruth M. Schafer

Aug. 13, 1908 - Nov. 17, 1999

South Bend Tribune 11/19/1999

Ruth M. Schafer, 91, of South Ironwood Drive, formerly of 61964 U.S. 31, South Bend, Ind., died following an illness at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17, in Caring Junction. Mrs. Schafer was born on Aug. 13, 1908, in South Bend, to Ernest and Bertha (Skodinski) Behling, and was a lifetime area resident.

On May 28, 1930, in South Bend, as Ruth M. Behling, she married Donald E. Schafer, who preceded her in death on Aug. 16, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Clara Schultz and Jeanette Roberts; and by two brothers, Ray and Harold Behling. She is survived by two sons, Edward D. (Sandy) Schafer and Philip D. (Judy) Schafer, both of South Bend; four grandchildren, Melissa (Mark) Smitley and Scott, Nicholas and Samantha Jo Schafer; and by two sisters-in-law, Leona and Dorothy Behling, both of South Bend. Mrs. Schafer was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #479 of Lakeville, Ind., and Zion United Church of Christ, South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, in Zion United Church of Christ, with Rev. W. Robert Manning officiating. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William Street. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ, 715 E. Wayne Street, South Bend, IN 46617; or to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.