Gregory Jay Schafer, age 60, passed away on October 11, 2023 at his home in Delta, Utah surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 18, 1963, in Rockford, Illinois and was blessed into the home of George H and Mary Ann Ulmer Schafer.
With his father’s honorable military service, Greg lived in various places throughout the US and eventually settled in Arizona where he attended and graduated from Chandler High School. Upon graduation, he proudly followed his father’s trade as a Certified Welder/Steel Fabricator. In 1987, a life-altering industrial accident resulting in a spinal cord injury changed his life course. After several months of rehab, he married his sweetheart, Monica Heying, and enrolled in Arizona State University earning his Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1992. Greg and Monica moved to Delta, Utah (a long-held dream to be closer to his life-long friend) where he was employed by Delta City as the Delta City Recorder/Finance director until 2018.
He enjoyed friendships with many people through his involvement on different boards with Delta City and the state of Utah with his duties as a municipal clerk, and his church family, The Faith Christian Fellowship. He had a special way of fueling these connections and keeping touch for years.
In Greg’s own words, “My Lord and Savior has summoned me. I treasured the life I was given. I tried to live it well. As I aged, I hoped for continued personal growth. I would be unable to count the numerous blessings in my life. I realize that the physical ailments that beset me over the last of many decades are matters of this world. By God’s grace, through my faith, my Savior, Jesus Christ saved me for time and eternity.”
Greg is known for his perseverance, grit, his courage, strength, and as an inspiring example of Christianity. He was instructive, kind, and inclusive. To know him was to love him; and if he knew you, you were important to him on a personal level. It was common for everyone in his life to receive texts, emails, or messages with a kind word and note of him thinking of you. In his retirement he spent many hours researching his genealogy and assisting others with theirs, an activity he became passionate about.
Greg is survived by his treasured wife: Monica Schafer; his sons: Cody Schafer, George Schafer (Ahtziri), Granger Schafer (Demi); grandchildren: Cheralyn Lovell, Remington Purser, Geovani Schafer; brother: Frank Froeber (Luanne); and godmother: Carolyn Taber; and his honorary family: Steve I Thatcher & family, Ginger Moore & children; 7 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law. He is preceded in death by parents: George H and Mary A Ulmer Shafer; mother and father-in-law, grandparents, many uncles/aunts, cousins, one nephew, his godfather, his friend & birth mother, Donna, and 3 brothers-in-law. Greg also made frequent mention of all his beloved pets that have passed on.
All friends are invited to a Celebration of Life/Viewing held on Friday, October 20, 6-8 pm, at Nickle Mortuary, 190 South Center St, Delta. Interment will be held at a later date. At Greg’s request, if friends are inclined, we encourage donations to any charitable organization that serves the well-being of those who are less fortunate, fulfilling teachings of Christ.
