Paul William Schafer

Paul William Schafer, age 89, of Newton, Illinois, passed away on March 15, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, Illinois.

Born on May 11, 1936, in Newton, the son of Elmer and Florence (Rubsam) Schafer, Paul graduated from Newton Community High School with the Class of 1954. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959, working as a mechanic while stationed in Germany. In 1959 he began his career as a mechanic at Len Grinker Chevrolet and later Al Rohr Chevrolet. In 1966 he established Schafer Garage in Newton, which he owned and operated for many years.

On November 11, 1960, Paul married the love of his life, Carol Sue Bunton, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton. A lifelong member of the parish, he was also a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus #1704. Paul found quiet joy in woodworking and took great pride in his roles as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Schafer of Newton; children Brian Schafer of Newton, Julie (Rob) Miller of Gays, and Chad Schafer (fiancé Shannon Clark) of Newton; grandchildren Nicole (Travis) Reynolds, Chip Wilson, Levi Schafer (fiancé Erica Hasler), Hannah (Chase) Linn, Rachael Miller, Marcus Schafer, Emma Schafer (Casey Stewart), David Clark, and Carter Clark; great-grandchildren Riley Linn, Ashton Reynolds, Kodi Reynolds, Weston Reynolds, Charolette Schafer, and Paxton Schafer; and siblings David Schafer, Ed (Janet) Schafer, Charles (Marilyn) Schafer, Yvonne Hargis, all of Newton, and Marilyn Cox of Casey. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Bradley Schafer, brother Kenny Schafer, brothers-in-law Jerry Hargis and Don Cox, and sisters-in-law Carole Schafer and Rita Schafer.