Fred Shaeffer

Fred Shaeffer was born June 8, 1920, at the family home near Sinnett, Oklahoma to Joe and Carrie (Wilson) Shaeffer. Fred attended grade school at Sinnett, but there was no bus transportation to enter high school. He then went to work in the oil fields until he turned eighteen, at which time he was hired at the Sheffield Steel Mill in Sand Springs and worked there for forty-one years before his retirement. In 1942, Fred went into the United States Army during World War II. He was trained to operate radios and lights for the Air Force. Fred's Unit was stationed in the woods near Hondo, Texas awaiting deployment overseas, during which time his Unit was training to prepare other soldiers to survive in the War Zone. Fred and six others in his unit were stricken with an illness resulting in paralysis and hospitalization for eight months at the Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. It is believed the illness was Lyme's disease which afflicted him the remainder of his life. Fred was married to Marie Zickefoose on July 3, 1951in Raton, New Mexico. The couple made their initial home in the Old Keystone area and had two children Susan and Fred. Fred had the amazing ability to do almost anything with his hands and could create all sorts of things with his mind. He virtually built his home with minimal help. He enjoyed gardening and keeping his home and lawn immaculate. He enjoyed hunting and trips to Colorado, one of which was taking his grandson, Fredrick. Fred also enjoyed road trips traveling all over the United States with his children and later with his grandkids, Crystal, Fredrick and Joe. Fred enjoyed collecting everything. Marie and Fred would spend many a fun weekend "junking" at garage sales for treasures. The annual Shaeffer garage sale brought collectors from all over the area. Fred attended the General Baptist Church pastored by his friend Reverend Edward Zickefoose. Fred was a member of the Crossroads Historical Society, Disabled American Veterans, and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Fred passed away at his home on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the age of ninety-four. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and a sister. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Marie Shaeffer of the home; daughter, Susan Shaeffer of the home; son, Fred J. Shaeffer of Norman, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Fredrick, Crystal Harkness, Joseph, Benjamin and McClain; three great-grandchildren, Jade and Miah Harkness, Cody Shaeffer; sister, Grace Zickefoose and husband Sam of Sapulpa; five nieces, Cheryl Frazier, Lisa Provenzano, Beverly and husband Steve Bailey, Carol Nigh, Helen Mills; nephew, Gene Abbett; numerous other relatives and friends to mourn his passing. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Robert Haling and Earl Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow at the Sinnett Cemetery near Cleveland under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Friends may share a memory with the family at the funeral home or online at www.chapman-black.com