John Schaffert

John Schaffert, age 85, of Aurora, died Wednesday morning, April 18, 2001, at Hamilton Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hampton. Rev. George E. Damm will officiate. Interment will be in the Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 P.M., Thursday at Higby Mortuary. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: JOHN SCHAFFERT

John Christian Schaffert, the son of John and Rose (Wagner) Schaffert, was born on a farm south of Aurora, Nebraska on November 7, 1915 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on April 18, 2001, at the age of 85 years.

John spent his entire life in Hamilton County. He went to the brickyard schoolhouse through 6th grade and attended Salem Lutheran School in Hampton for 7th and 8th grades. He was confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church on May 26, 1930. John was a Corporal in the Army during World War II.

John was united in marriage to Virginia Happold on April 5, 1942 at Salem Lutheran Church in Hampton. He farmed south of Aurora until 1965. He also auctioneered for most of his working life and at one time owned the Aurora Livestock Market. He purchased Mitchell Recreation Club in 1965 and operated it for 25 years. He was known for his life long love of horses, which he owned, trained and raced.

He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hampton, a lifetime member of the Aurora American Legion. John was also a member of the FFA, Lion's Club of Aurora, Aurora Country Club and Aksarben in Omaha.

John was preceded in death by his parents and three great-grandchildren, Amron Dale Oswald, Leah Jae Oswald and Jodi Paige Oswald.

John is survived by his wife Virginia of Aurora; daughter, Sherry Peters and her husband Delmar of Aurora, John Schaffert II and his wife Lynn of Doniphan, Deryl "Buck" Schaffert and his wife Kim of Aurora, Greg and his wife Jean Schaffert of Harrison, New York and Chris Schaffert and his wife Mary of Aurora; 9 grandchildren, Linda Oswald and her husband J.D., Brenda King and her husband Jim, John Schaffert III, Brian Schaffert, Jesi Rae Schaffert, Jake Schaffert, Joshua Schaffert, Joel Schaffert, Jennifer Schaffert and Daniel Schaffert; 8 great-grandchildren, Erin, Kate, Jill, Anya, Keri and Lisa Oswald, Brittany and Holly Kramer.