Richard Schafer

WELLSBURG - Richard Schafer, 84, of Wellsburg, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at his home in Wellsburg. 

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 24 at the First Christian Reformed Church in rural Wellsburg. He was laid to rest at the church cemetery. Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Richard and his family.

Richard Allen Schafer was born on January 26, 1942 to Thomas and Grace (Janssen) Schafer in Wellsburg, Iowa. He graduated from Wellsburg High School. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church. On November 18, 1967 Richard was united in marriage to Janice Shugar at the First Presbyterian Church in Ackley. 

Richard had a booming voice and used this wonderful talent to sing. He sang at many weddings and at over 200 funerals. He participated in the Messengers Quartet, the Layman Quartet, the Kings Men Chorus and the Interfaith Chorus. He went to many gospel concerts. Conveniently enough with this loud, booming voice, Richard could never get lost in a crowd. All one had to do was just listen and you would hear him talking and befriending a stranger somewhere. By the time you located him, he had found out who that person's parents were, where they grew up, and what they did for a living. 

Richard farmed for many years but was also a beloved bus driver for over 40 years.  He was a substitute driver for Exceptional Persons in the early years and later full-time for the Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock and AGWSR School District. Those students who were lucky enough to have him as a bus driver were sometimes treated to an impromptu concert as he sang along to the radio or just a cappella.  A few of his grandchildren were also blessed to have been driven to school by him.  A favorite treat of his grandchildren on their birthdays was for Richard to sing happy birthday to them over the phone.  

Richard served on the church board as both elder and deacon. He was also a Sunday school superintendent. He served eight years on the board of the Cedar Falls Bible Conference. He enjoyed going to the shows in Branson, Missouri each year.  

Richard was immensely proud of the family he and Janice raised.  Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Janice Schafer of Wellsburg, Iowa; their daughter, Laura Woods (Kyle Buckley) of New Providence; granddaughter, Courtney (great-grandsons- Robin and William) and grandson Garrett: son, Bradley Schafer (Shelly) of Wellsburg and their daughters, Sidney, Braelyn and Delaney as well as sisters and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.  Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Grace Schafer; infant daughter, Anita Rae; granddaughter, Brittney Bennett, his sister, Gretta Schafer and mother and father in-law, Raymond and Jeanette Shugar.  

Richard was devoted to his Lord and Savior and no doubt heard the words “Well done good and faithful servant” as he was welcomed Home.