Michael Thomas Schafer, (74), passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2025 at Wesley Woodlawn Hospital in Wichita, KS, surrounded by family.

Michael was born January 16, 1951 in Rock Island, Illinois to Robert and Connie Schafer.  He was a 1969 high school graduate of Rock Island High School; Rock Island, Illinois. Mike was very much into sports; starting at an early age, playing baseball and football through high school and his early 20's.  Mike was always a hard-worker and started in his teenage years for his father's gas stations, Schafer's Skelly.

After graduation, he relocated to the State of Oklahoma.  While living in Oklahoma, he married Deanna Hendricks. They had two children; Kimberly Schafer Dodd (Bella Vista, AR) and Cody Schafer (Douglas, OK).

Mike moved to Wichita about thirty-five years ago and worked for Coleman Industries and for the City of Wichita at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport as an electrician. He decided to hang up the ol' volt meter in 2015. During his time at the airport, he met the love of his life Mary Ann Isbell, who became his wife in life for 12 years until his untimely passing.

Mike truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; fishing, gardening, OU sports, going to grandchildren events, and spending time with his family and friends. He touched so many lives with his generosity and passion for life. He had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and attended New Spring Church in Wichita, KS. He will be deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his father, Robert Jack.  Mike is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Isbell-Schafer (Haysville, KS); son, Cody Schafer (Douglas, OK), daughter, Kimberly Schafer Dodd (Bella Vista, AR), step-daughter, Deanna Valentine (Garden-Plain, KS), step-son, Daniel Isbell (Wichita, KS), nine grandchildren/step-grandchildren; Destiny Russell (Monin, IN), Dalton Schafer (Douglas, OK), Savannah Schafer (Mustang, OK), Gannon Dodd (Bella Vista, AR), Paxton Dodd (Bella Vista, AR), Adrianna Mendoza and Aubrey Mendoza (Garden Plain, KS), Aydrik and Anora Isbell, (Wichita, KS), his mother – Connie Schafer, brother - Gregory Schafer and sister Diane Schafer both of Rock Island, Illinois.

Mike still associated with his two favorite childhood friends, David Dinneen (Sioux Falls, SD) and Tom Govia (Rock Island, IL).

There will be a private "Celebration of Life" for family members at Grand Lake/Hudson Lake this summer.