Robert "Bob" Schaffner's Obituary
Robert "Bob" Schaffner, 80, of Seymour, passed away on September 23, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Bob was born on August 23, 1940 in Albia, Iowa to Louis and Letha (Whitlock) Schaffner. He graduated from Seymour Community High School in 1959. Bob and Mary were in the same class at Seymour and their story started in their freshmen year of school with Bob walking Mary home from school. Bob and Mary were engaged between their Junior and Senior years of high schools. Bob bought the ring with money he earned bailing hay. On February 14, 1960 he married Mary Elizabeth Banks at the Seymour Methodist Church. Their relationship spanned 66 years and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in February of this year by taking a cruise. Bob set a great example for us all with his love for Mary and spoiled her at every opportunity. To this union, four children were born: Cindy Ray, Robert Mark, Brad Douglas and Diane Elizabeth. Bob started his career in the grocery business in high school bagging and delivering groceries at C. W. Whitely's Red & White Grocery and went on to work for Safeway, Super Valu, United Food Markets and Easter Foods. In April of 1972, Bob and Mary bought Mickey's Market in Seymour, Iowa and Bob's Food Market was founded. In 1979, Bob and Mary built a new store on the south side of the square. The grand opening for the new location was on homecoming day in 1980 and they ran the store together for 34 years. All four children worked in the store and learned a strong work ethic and the value of money. Bob gave many people their first job and developed lifelong relationships with countless people. He sincerely enjoyed spending his time at the store and interacting with customers. He was a great businessman and was constantly looking for new ways to grow the business. He took the family on a vacation every year and each time they visited grocery stores along the route. Gas pumps, home delivery service, video rentals, arcade games, fresh donuts and the Iowa Lottery were all innovative additions to the store over the years. After retirement from the store Bob worked with the Ryan brothers doing masonry work and also set up new and remodeled stores for Affiliated Foods. He worked at Lockridge Lumber in Centerville, Iowa for nearly ten years. Bob built great relationships with his co-workers and customers and people loved seeing his smile and always felt better after having a conversation with him. In his spare time, Bob enjoyed fishing, boating and spending time at Lake Thunderhead. He spent countless hours taking people on boat rides, towing tubes and fishing for largemouth bass. Their home at Lake Thunderhead was the place lifetime memories were made for the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bob also loved woodworking and completed many projects for his family, including a grandfather clock, gun cabinets, bird feeders, step stools and multiple furniture projects. He also created handcrafted Christmas ornaments for the grandchildren each year, which are treasured by his family. Faith and family were Bob's priorities and he loved attending grandkids' activities and having family get-togethers. Bob's tenderloins and homemade ice cream were always family favorites. He also enjoyed traveling which included many trips for Bob and Mary as well as family vacations to Colorado for camping and a cruise in Alaska. Bob also looked forward to attending the Iowa State Fair every year. Bob loved helping the children and grandchildren with projects which included wiring a house, building a playhouse, installing windows, and building a barn. His love for family was evident in everything he did and he always put their needs ahead of any other priorities. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary; children: Cindy (David) Cooper, Rob (Tina) Schaffner, Brad (Michelle) Schaffner and Diane (Richard) McClain; grandchildren: Jennifer (Jake) Trimble, Paige (Brian) Myers, Joslyn, Robert (Mitchell), Nickolas and MaKenna Schaffner, Amanda (Nicholas) Liu, Emily (Ryan) Buller, Trenton (ShelBee) McClain and Sydney (Daniel) Beeler; great grandchildren: Jacob, Jade, Jami and Jaci Trimble, Alyssa and Hadley Myers, Adalynn Liu, and Baylin and Grainley Beeler. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Louis William, Louis Vincent, Horace, Bill and Clarence Schaffner and his sisters: Letha Lawson and Lillie Belle Wyldes. Visitation will be from 1-7:00 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour with the family present from 5-7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour, Iowa. Interment will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Seymour Old Settlers and online condolences may be shared www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert "Bob" Schaffner please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Southlawn Cemetery Visitation SEP 28. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected] Funeral Service SEP 29. 10:30 AM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected]
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