Gene Philip Schaefer
June 14, 1949 – November 26, 2025
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In Loving Memory
Gene Philip Schaefer, 76, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, passed away on November 26, 2025. Mr. Schaefer will be remembered as a spiritual man, dedicated to humanitarian causes. His voice, loud in song, will be sorely missed.
Gene was the first pharmacy tech for Kaiser Permanente, working at Bess Kaiser Hospital in Portland.
Gene was born in Moscow, Idaho, and grew up in Battle Ground, Washington, where his father was a teacher at Battle Ground High School. He graduated in the class of 1967, from that school. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Washington State University.
Survivors include his widow, Mary, his sister Barbara, brother-in-law Bruce, and sister-in-law Jani. Also missing Uncle Gene will be Zachary, Stacey, Jordan, and Kelli. Mary’s children and grandchildren will also be at a loss.
Gene was preceded in death by parents Phil and Ruth, and brother Gary.
Gene was actively involved with St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Church in Battle Ground, for 25 years. He was a member and officer in the Battle Ground Lions Club, and a charter member and officer in the San Tan Lions Club. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow. He earned third degree in the Knights of Columbus, Council 17036.
Gene became blind at age 32, a victim of diabetic retinopathy. After undergoing three years of kidney dialysis, he was the recipient of a donor kidney in 1992. In June, he joined the Donor Registry in Arizona, seeking to share the gift of life with others.
A funeral mass, burial, and reception will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Battle Ground, at 11AM on June 11. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation, in Gene’s name, to St. Vincent de Paul, c/o Sacred Heart Church, 1603 N. Parkway (PO Box 38), Battle Ground, WA 98604
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Petra Patton says: We miss you Grandpa Quack Quack! Music is playing here, and you are with us this holiday season in spirit.
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Bill Van Nimwegen says:
We’ve lost a caring, intelligent and witty brother-in-law. We’ll miss him a lot.
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Peter Van Nimwegen says:
Gene your smile and witty jokes will forever be missed.
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Jani Schaefer says:
I’ve known Gene for a long long time… I married his younger brother Gary in 1976 and Gene became my brother in law. He was like a real brother and he and I did many things together. I drove him where he needed to be and I was his side kick. We talked of things that were important and laughed at all things silly. He is missed…and always will be.
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Brooke Molloy says:
We will miss his singing at mass at St Michael and his smile that brightened the room.
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Bill Dumanch says:
I accidentally had killed Gene, back in 2011. True story!
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Claire Schauer says:
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of this wonderful man of God, husband, brother and friend. May his memory always be a blessing.
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Gary Makosiej says:
We always enjoyed the time we spent with Gene and Mary. He was a wonderful man and outgoing even while dealing with his loss of sight. We will miss him dearly. God bless , Lynda and Gary Makosiej.
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David Dean (Beach Front Computers) says:
Gene, we met many years ago at Networking STV. I helped you several times with your computer… You were always fine as frog hair as you said and would talk my ear off and I’ll miss that. You were a great guy and will be missed. Prayers to Mary and all of Genes family.
Petra Patton 
Bill Van Nimwegen 
Peter Van Nimwegen 
Jani Schaefer 
Brooke Molloy 
Bill Dumanch 
Claire Schauer 
Gary Makosiej 
David Dean (Beach Front Computers)
We miss you Grandpa Quack Quack! Music is playing here, and you are with us this holiday season in spirit.
We’ve lost a caring, intelligent and witty brother-in-law. We’ll miss him a lot.
Gene your smile and witty jokes will forever be missed.
I’ve known Gene for a long long time… I married his younger brother Gary in 1976 and Gene became my brother in law. He was like a real brother and he and I did many things together. I drove him where he needed to be and I was his side kick. We talked of things that were important and laughed at all things silly. He is missed…and always will be.
We will miss his singing at mass at St Michael and his smile that brightened the room.
I accidentally had killed Gene, back in 2011. True story!
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of this wonderful man of God, husband, brother and friend. May his memory always be a blessing.
We always enjoyed the time we spent with Gene and Mary. He was a wonderful man and outgoing even while dealing with his loss of sight. We will miss him dearly. God bless , Lynda and Gary Makosiej.
Gene, we met many years ago at Networking STV. I helped you several times with your computer… You were always fine as frog hair as you said and would talk my ear off and I’ll miss that. You were a great guy and will be missed. Prayers to Mary and all of Genes family.