Howard J. Schaefer, 89, of Horton, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Horton Community Hospital. He was born on October 2, 1919 in Mercier, Kansas the son of John & Gertrude Schuetz Schaefer. He was a sergeant with the U.S. Army during WWII as a mechanic. After the service Howard became an independent carpenter. After retirement he went on to work for U.S.D. #430 as a school bus driver for ten years. He then helped and drove for a local farmer. Howard was a member of the St. Leo's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. On April 26, 1947 he married Dorothy Mae Richling in Horton, Kansas. She preceded him in death on November 23, 2004. Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Adams of Junction City, Kansas; three sons, Gary Schaefer of New Waverly, Texas, Brett Schaefer of Coppell, Texas and Jon Schaefer of Gardner, Kansas; three brothers, Lloyd Schaefer of Effingham, Kansas, Leo Schaefer of Horton, Kansas and Kenneth Schaefer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two sisters, Thelma McGee of Overland Park, Kansas and Rose Willis of Horton, Kansas; nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Vernon Schaefer, three sisters, Mary Kaman, Wilma Peregrine and Teresa Richling. Funeral mass will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at the St. Leo's Catholic Church in Horton, Kansas. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday evening at the Dishon-Maple-Chaney Mortuary in Horton, Kansas where the family will greet friends following the rosary. Burial will be at the St. Leo's Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Howard Schaefer memorial fund to be designated later and may be sent in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dishon-maple-chaney.com