Obituary of Clair David Schaffner

Geneva – Clair D. Schaffner, 88, of 1000 Pine Trail, Apt. 106, Honeoye Falls, NY, formerly of 111 Sprucewood Circle, died Wednesday (June 13, 2018) at his home with his loving wife by his side. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Sunday (June 24) at First Baptist Church in Geneva. Rev. Phyllis Granger, pastor, will officiate. The family will also receive family and friends at 2 p.m. Sunday (June 24) in the Fellowship Room of the church, after the memorial service. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Geneva, NY, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Student Loan Fund, c/o First Baptist Church of Geneva, 134 N. Main St., Geneva, NY, 14456; this fund was established by Clair and his wife, Carol following the death of their toddler son, Scott in 1970. Clair was born July 4, 1929, in Tower City, PA, the ninth child of David M. and Mae E. Knorr Schaffner. He was a 1947 graduate of the former Porter Township High School. Clair graduated in 1951 from Juniata College in Huntington, PA with a B.A. degree in music education. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving his country from 1951 to 1955. Serving in the Air Force and while stationed at Sampson Air Force Base in Varick, he was chapel organist, choir director, and associate director of the Sampsonaires airmen's chorus. He earned his M.A. degree in elementary education at Cortland State Teachers College and his certification in elementary administration from Geneseo in 1966. Additional graduate study was completed at Eastman School of Music, Elmira College, and the University of South Carolina. He taught elementary education and vocal music for grades 4, 5, or 6 in Waterloo, Geneva, Ocala, FL, and Myrtle Beach, SC schools. Clair served 16 years as elementary principal in Geneva, and Romulus. After 36 years in education, he retired in 1991. Clair was a member of First Baptist Church where he served as organist and choir director for almost 30 years, was a member of the executive board, and where he loved acting in and directing dramatic venues. He and his wife, Carol, were well-known for their duet-singing in churches and at community events for many years. Clair served as a volunteer at the Community Lunch Program and Center of Concern in Geneva for 26 years. He was also a volunteer at Red Cross Blood drives. Clair was a member of NYS Retired Teachers, Seneca County Retired Teachers, and South Carolina Retired Teachers. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol E. Lowdermilk Schaffner; daughters, Diane (Michael) Karlsen of Romulus, Bonnie (Clif) Wright of Lima, and Lori (John) Scherer of Avon; grandchildren, Jessica (Mike) Ripple, Abby (Shawn) Dunphy, Shawn (Fiancee, Theresa Fellows) Wright, Stacey (Tyler) Monnat, Colby Wright, Morgan Scherer, and Dylan Scherer; great-granddaughters, Hayden and Maya Ripple; and many nieces and nephews. Clair was predeceased by his son, Scott D. Schaffner; his parents, and ten brothers and sisters. Condolences for the family may be sent to www.coegenungfuneralhome.com.