ITHACA – Donald H. Schlafer Sr., 93, life-long resident of Guilford and Oxford, passed away April 8, 2010 in Ithaca.
Don was born in Guilford on June 22, 1916, the son of Edith and Frank Schlafer. He grew up with his four siblings, Ken, Helen, Pershing, and Wilma on the family dairy farm, and graduated from Guilford High School.
In 1942, Don married Mildred Gamewell, the love of his life and mother of their three children. Don and Millie started their married lives together in Guilford, later moving to establish a new farm in Oxford until retirement when they returned to Guilford. After Millie’s death in 1984, Don learned to cook and took up her passion for harvesting the garden. His applesauce was superb.
A successful and hardworking dairy farmer, Don was an active member of the community, serving on the Board of Education for many years and as an elder in his church, the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church.
Don was an enthusiastic ham radio operator (K2UZM) and enjoyed weekly “nets” with his friends. He was a skilled hunter, providing turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner and venison for family meals.
Beloved husband of the late Mildred Gamewell Schlafer, Don was predeceased by his brother, Ken Kenyon, his sisters Wilma (Abeel) and Helen (Race). He is survived by his brother Pershing and by his children Vida Brodie (Ernest Brodie Sr.), Donald Schlafer Jr. (Judith Appleton) and Douglas Schlafer; four grandsons, Ernest Brodie Jr. (Carolee) and Brian Brodie (Charity), Nathan Schlafer and Russell Schlafer; three great-grandchildren, Sarah, Catherine and Daniel Brodie, and 14 nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews. Affectionately known as “Papa,” Don was enormously proud of the accomplishments, both personal and professional, of his children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Friends and family are invited to visit Landers Funeral Home in Sidney on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. A celebration of Don’s life and a committal service are planned for May 22 at the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances of Don may be sent to the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church (P.O. Box 56, Guilford, NY 13780).