Jerold John Schaefer

March 15, 1942 (Neenah, WI) – December 12, 2022 (Poinciana, FL)

On Monday, December 12, 2022, Jerold John Schaefer passed away with family by his side. Born March 15, 1942, in Neenah, WI, Jerry was 80 years old and living at home in Poinciana, FL with Carol Schaefer, his wife of more than 56 years that were filled with joy, happiness, and adventure. Jerry and Carol Schaefer were married on August 4, 1967, in Madison, WI.

Son of late John R. and Mildred (nee Marten) Schaefer (Neenah, WI). Survivors include his wife, Carolyn (nee Fults) Schaefer (Poinciana, FL); children Linda Schaefer Brady (New York City) and David Schaefer (Grebbestad, Sweden); Jerry’s four grandchildren, Gavin Brady (16), Travis Brady (13) with son-in-law, Stephen Brady; Elsa Schaefer (10), and Marcus Schaefer (6) with daughter-in-law Linda R. Schaefer; his sister Glenace Klinker and brother-in-law Ted Klinker (Austin, TX); niece and goddaughter Kristen Klinker Sartor (Tony); nephew Daniel Klinker (Sharon); and great nephews and nieces Jeremy Klinker (Ashton), Alex Klinker, Jacob Sartor, and Carleigh Sartor; and family and friends from around the globe.

ON WISCONSIN: In Neenah, Jerry’s childhood was centered around Marten’s Dairy, the location of the family home of his parents, John and Mildred Schaefer. Neenah will always be home, and it’s where life-long friendships were forged like Jim Winters, his future best man. And after setting a hurdles track record at Neenah High School, Jerry graduated high school in 1960. His next adventure took him to Madison, where he proudly marched in the 5th Quarter to “On Wisconsin!” His days as a Badger can best be understood through a petrified slice of cherry pie and his Alpha Delta Phi brothers from House on High, Pat Colloton, Jerry Gerndt, and Bruce Menzel. Jerry graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science, Agriculture degree in 1964.

PEACE CORPS: An experience of education and exploration that Jerry took great pride in was his Peace Corps volunteer assignment in Guateque, Colombia from 1964-66. Jerry helped this remote village with farming techniques and social food programs. If he were to have a brother in this world, Jerry met him in Colombia with Vicente Fajardo, and formed lasting friendships with Mary Agnes Kammann and Barbara Muchisky. But his best adventure was his return trip, driving motorcycles bought in Panama City, Panama with fellow Peace Corps volunteer, Rodney Spokely, via the Pan-American Highway – and doing his best impression of Easy Rider on the 3,700-mile way home to Neenah.

CORPORATE: From 1968 through 2008, Jerry worked for the same company, starting with the name Continental Can Company and finishing with Crown, Cork & Seal. This included stays in Rochester, NY and Sparta, NJ until landing in Baltimore for most of his career starting in 1975. Additionally, Jerry pursued his entrepreneurial passions with Carol and opened The Great Frame Up, a custom and do-it-yourself frame store from 1995-99 in Timonium, MD.

SPRINGDALE: Jerry and Carol raised their children in the idyllic Springdale community in Cockeysville, MD – specifically “Upper Sandringham.” So many fond memories of crab feasts, volleyball games, annual parties with the Conceptions, Franks, Gutberlets, Kiebles, Mulloneys, Townsends, Waltons, and many others in Springdale. “Big Ten Rules” in the Gutberlets’ Bowl Game and March Madness pools will live on, but the ring of a cherry bomb on New Year’s Eve will echo just one last time.

FREDERICK TO POINCIANA: These years included two weddings and four grand kids, with adventures around Frederick, MD eventually moving Jerry and Carol to Poinciana, FL to be closer to

grandkids Elsa and Marcus. Frederick was full of lots of fun with friends and adventures around town, road trips up and down the mid-Atlantic, and activities in Worman’s Mill. From working part-time with his friend Bill Levin at Clustered Spires Golf Club in Frederick to his steady foursomes at Stonegate Golf Club at Solivita, Jerry was always honing his golf game, resulting in two Hole-in-Ones; 2014 Most-Valuable-Daddy Award; 2015 Team Championship at Who’s Your Daddy?; Masters’ patron; Wisconsin Club Golf Outing Captain; and put him down for “net par” on both the 17th at TPC Sawgrass and Bay Hill.

FACTOIDS OF A LIFE WELL LIVED:

* Nicknames: Grandpa, Dad, The Jer

* Travel: 45 U.S states, 19 Countries, 3 Continents

* Skydiver, Age 60

* Green Bay Packers Shareholder

* “Ice Bowl” Attendee, Lambeau Field, Dec 31, 1967

* University of Wisconsin Alumni Lifelong Member

* 1963 Rose Bowl Attendee (USC 42, UW 37)

* 1959 Homecoming King, Neenah High School

* English Canal Boat Captain, Chesapeake Sailing First Mate, and Ski Resort Lead Guide

* Self-Published, Sunset Photography Author and Photographer

* Rummio Champion, Poker Champion, Whale’s Tails Champion

* The Big Brown Fairy

* Chuck Mangione Lifetime Devoted Fan

* Reigning Barb and Terry Card Tennis Trophy Champion

* Springdale Tennis Club Captain

* Master of “The Chipper” (*USGA Approval still pending)

* All-Time Schaefer Family Dork Award, “The Blender”

* Vintage Wisconsin Milk Creamers and Bottle Collector

* Baltimore Crab House: Schultz’s Crab House, Essex, MD

* Cream of Crab Soup: Patrick’s Restaurant, Timonium, MD

* Meal: Grilled Cheese and Soup

* Dessert: Hand-stirred Caramels Master Chef, (Regular and Chocolate); A&W Root Beer Floats

* Drink: Dry Manhattan with a Twist (w/ Brandy), Gin & Tonics, Eggnog

* Favorite Cars Owned:

o 1955 Ford Thunderbird, Painted “Racing Green” (Accident, 1967)

o 2003 Ford Thunderbird, “The T-Bird” (Mountain Shadow Gray, Saddle Tan Interior)

o 1927 Chevrolet, “The Chevy” (Linda’s Wedding Limo)

o 1955 Ford Thunderbird, “The White T-Bird” (Sold, 1970)

LAST LAUGH: Since SpaceX first started launching from Cape Canaveral, Jerry was an avid rocket launch watcher. While he never successfully made the 1.5 hr. drive east to see a launch up close, there was a launch scheduled for 2:33 am the night before he passed. David convinced Linda to Uber to the launch with him, but Linda convinced David to “break in” to the ICU to tell Dad the plan. When we entered the room, Dad’s unexpected joy was visible as we shared the night’s adventure with him and how we would be back that morning to tell him if it went and what it was like. And while the rocket launch was stunning, Linda and Dave know they experienced Dad’s last laugh as he went with their late-night plan. From a Neenah High School Rocket to the Rocket Man late in life, Jerry always enjoyed a great laugh and the wonder of adventures.

QUOTE: "Life Is Good” – Jerry’s Self-Published Book Title of His Sunset Photos

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/oviedo for the Schaefer family.