Joel Schaefer

Joel Schaefer
November 08, 1956 - October 15, 2005
Williamsburg, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:00 am October 19, 2005 at St. Paul Lutheran Church
Williamsburg-Joel Robert Schaefer was born November 8, 1956 in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Victor and Myrta Mueller Schaefer. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1974. Joel was united in marriage to Barbara Kay Furman on September 5, 1981 at St. John Lutheran Church near Homestead, Iowa. Together they were blessed with two sons, Lucas and Evan. Barbara passed away on July 12, 2000. He later married Nancy Sue ChalmersWolfe on March 9, 2002 at St. John Lutheran Church near Homestead. In the short three years given to them, they cherished each moment to express their love to one another. Joel has worked in the heating and air conditioning industry, most recently as a Service Manager at Brandt Heating and Air Conditioning in Iowa City. He was a member and Trustee of St. John's Lutheran Church and previously served on the school board of Lutheran Interparish School. Joel died Saturday, October 15, 2005 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City due to complications from surgery at the age of 48 years, 11 months and 7 days. Joel is survived by his wife Susie; two sons: Lucas and special friend Katie of Coe College and Evan of Simpson College; two step children: Quinn and Lindsey Wolfe of Iowa City; his father: Victor Schaefer of Williamsburg; three sisters: Grace Schaefer of Raynham, MA, Jane (Jim) Welsh and their daughter Kristina of Iowa City and Julie (Terry) Driscoll of Middle Amana; father and mother in law: Bill and Julia Chalmers of Iowa City; a two brother-in-law: William Chalmers of California and Don Furman of Iowa City; two sisters-in-laws: Susan Furman-Miller and Barb Furman of Cedar Rapids and a number of nieces and nephews. Joel was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, mother Myrta and a brother-in-law Jim Furman. Joel was a loving husband, father, son and brother. He was the rock of the family, life of the party, and loved his family, golf and work. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Celebration of life service will be 10:00 am Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Williamsburg. Pastor Wayne Woolery will officiate. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery near Homestead. Visitation will be from 2 to 8 pm on Tuesday at the Uhlmann-Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the St. John's Lutheran Church. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.