Funeral Services for Dave John (Rusch) Schaffer, 87, of Fairview, will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church. The Reverends Leonard Vogt and Brad Penner will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ebenfield Cemetery in Okeene. Arrangements are by the Fairview Funeral Home, Inc.

Visitation will be from 9 am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Fairview Funeral Home Inc and at the church before the service.

Dave John (Rusch) Schaffer was born April 18, 1922 at Southard Oklahoma to John Rusch and Regina (Moundt) Rusch and passed from this world on January 7, 2010 at the Fairview Fellowship Home in Fairview Oklahoma.

His mother died when he was born and he was raised by his oldest sister Katie and her husband John Schaffer. He grew up in Southard where he played baseball. He completed school there up until the ninth grade. He quickly married and started his family and lived around Southard until after their third child was born. They then moved to Wisconsin but only lived there a short time before returning to Fairview Oklahoma.

When he returned he worked for Sears and the sold Insurance. Soon after he opened his first Restaurant in Okeene he found his passion in life. Over the years he had several restaurants but the one he loved most was in Fairview called Schaffer Steaks, which he ran for many years. He continued working until his wife Irene got sick and he had to stay home and take care of her.

In 1994 Dave married Thelma and in 2005 they moved to the Fairview Fellowship Home Apartments. This is where he stayed until his death in January. Dave loved cats and loved to feed them. At one time he fed as many as 20 cats.

Dave is survived by his wife Thelma Schaffer of Fairview, Oklahoma; four sons, Leonard Ray Schaffer and wife Barbara of California, Carl Lee Schaffer and wife Arletta of California, John David Schaffer and wife Mary of Arizona, Lester Schaffer and wife Maria of Florida; one daughter, Diane Terry and husband Dan of Texas; five stepsons, Kenneth Haws of Oklahoma, Michael Haws and wife Kristi of Oklahoma, Philip Haws and wife Nickie of Oklahoma, Roger Lynn Haws and wife Sherril of Missouri, Douglas Haws and wife Terry of Oklahoma,. He was also survived by many grandchildren and greatchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 daughter Deloris Fisher, and 11 siblings.

The family has requested no flowers instead, memorial contributions may be made to the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church or the Fairview Fellowship Home with Fairview Funeral Home Inc. acting as custodian.

Condolences may be made online at www.fairviewfuneralhomeinc.com.