Gary Francis Schaffer

Gary Francis Schaffer entered eternal life on 19 June 2023, dying peacefully at the home of his sister just shy of his 78th birthday. Born to Francis Joseph and Juanita Faye (Price) Schaffer in Beloit, KS, he was raised as the oldest child of three boys and three girls. Gary graduated from North High School in Wichita in 1964 and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University. After honorably completing his time of service in the U.S. Army in Vietnam (SP4), Gary found the love of his life in a young woman, Mary O’Reilly, and they were married on 5 June 1971. Mary bore seven children with Gary: one daughter and six sons. The Catholic faith, love and prayer were the bedrock for their strong marriage. They were active stewards in the various parishes where they lived throughout the country; their involvement in the Church’s Marriage Encounter, Cursillo, and the Knights of Columbus formed numerous enriching friendships with fellow parishioners. Gary worked in the aircraft industry for Boeing, Learjet, Cessna, Lockheed Martin and other companies throughout the country, including the NASA Mission to Mars project. Gary is preceded in death by his late wife, parents, parents-in-law, Peter J. F. and Mary L. (Keane) O’Reilly, his brother, John E. Schaffer, grandson, David and granddaughter, Mary Catherine. He is survived by his stepson, Most Reverend W. Shawn McKnight; his daughter, Cynthia Bergkamp (Gerard); his sons: Aaron (Adeline), Jeremy (Jennifer), Andrew, James, MSgt John Joseph, USMC (Carolyn), and Gary, Jr. (Caitlin); 21 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren with two on the way. He is also survived by his brother, Steve (Leah); sisters: Susan Schulte, Jolene Smith (Dale), and Mona Laudick (Dennis); brothers-in-law: Dr. Peter F. O’Reilly (Barbara), Dr. Michael J. O’Reilly (Jere), LTG Patrick J. O’Reilly, USA (Judy); and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and dear friends. Visitation on 25 June at 4 pm with Vigil/Rosary service at 5 pm, both at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Funeral Mass officiated by Bishop McKnight will be held on 26 June at 10:00 am at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Wichita, with burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. The family has established a memorial with St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 861 N. Socora, Wichita, KS 67212, in honor of Gary.