Dr. John Schaeffer

Dr. John Frederick Schaeffer passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 15, 2020. He was born August 29, 1945, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Dr. Frederick Schaeffer and Elizabeth (Hairfield) of Ohio. Dr. Schaeffer graduated from the University of Miami School of Medicine and served his country as a Major in the United States Army, stationed in Texas. Following his military service, he held a private practice for 33 years as an Orthopedic Surgeon in Sanford, Florida, and the surrounding area. Dr. Schaeffer also served as Chief of Staff for a time at the Sanford Hospital. He served on many international medical mission trips throughout his career, including Haiti and Russia. Dr. Schaeffer was a Markham Woods Presbyterian Church member. In addition to his mission service, Dr. Schaeffer was an avid traveler and spent his later life traveling around the world. Starting with short trips with his family to Charleston (SC), New York, and San Francisco, he soon began taking his family to Russia, the Netherlands, Mexico, and British Columbia, Canada. For a few years, Santa Fe, New Mexico was his second home, where he enjoyed the art/gem shows out west. He soon expanded his internati...[more]

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l travel with trips to Peru and China, as well as numerous Caribbean cruises. More recently, he traveled with grandchildren Erin and Johnathan to see the Alaskan glaciers. Another of his latest trips was to Australia and New Zealand with his daughter Catherine. He loved collecting treasures from around the world, whether it was an arrowhead he found as a child or a surprise flea market find. Art and cultural touchstones brought him much joy in his life! Dr. John Schaeffer is survived by his ex-wife Linda Burkhardt Schaeffer and four daughters: Anne Bell and husband Robert of Sorrento , Elizabeth Andrus and husband Randy of Lake Mary, Margaret Vance and husband Matt of Jacksonville, and USAF Captain Catherine Schaeffer of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Maichel, Victoria, and Jordyn Bell of Mount Dora, Erin and Johnathan Andrus of Lake Mary, and Ella and Thomas Vance of Jacksonville. Also surviving are sisters Carolyn Strutner of Illinois and Barbara Bowers of Indiana, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Becky Thomas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Markham Woods Presbyterian Church, Lake Mary, in his honor. You may donate online by following this link: https://www.mwpcusa.org/give Services are private. The family of Dr. John Frederick Schaeffer invites you to leave a message on the Tribute Wall created in his memory. To read the full obituary, please click here: https://www.degusipefuneralhome.com/obituaries/John-Schaeffer-3/