Marilyn Schafer, age 83, of Liberty, went peacefully into the arms of her heavenly Father surrounded by her loved ones on October 2, 2018. She was born on October 27, 1934 in Quincy, the daughter of Robert and Hilda (Willer) Goerlich. Marilyn was a graduate of St. Francis Grade School and a graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School. Marilyn met her future husband Charles at a 4-H softball tournament in Champaign, IL. They were married on June 13, 1953 in St. Anthony Catholic Church. He preceded her in death in November of 2017.

Marilyn spent her life caring for her home, husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a very compassionate and faith-filled woman, who opened her heart and home to anyone in need. Marilyn was a life-long member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She participated in the Ladies Society, was on parish council, taught PSR classes, was a eucharistic minister and a member of the Wednesday Quilters. Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family, whether it be a Sunday dinner, a card game or the many activities that her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated in. She was an excellent quilter, having made quilts for all her family members. Marilyn was also a 50 year member of the Burton Unit of the Adams County Homemakers Extension Association. She bowled for years with the Westview Ladies Bowling League.

She is survived by: ELEVEN CHILDREN: Ronald (Joan) Schafer of Normal, IL: Mary Kay (Robert) Hicks of Quincy; Cheryl (Greg) Wittland of Quincy; Richard Schafer of Quincy; Jean (Bill) Oesterreich of Springfield, IL; David (Kim) Schafer of Quincy; Linda (Mark) Taylor of Mahomet, IL; Kevin (Mary) Schafer of Oklahoma; Karen (Mike) Harper of Quincy; John (Nancy) Schafer of Quincy; and James (JoAnn) Schafer of Liberty.
TWENTY-TWO GRANDCHILDREN: Rachel Hicks; Michelle (Adam) Miller; Laura (Mike) Lucchetti; Craig Schafer; Conor Schafer; Mindy (Tim) Milner; Josh (Kelcy) Oesterreich; Aaron (Breane) Schafer; Brett (Kelsey) Schafer; Renn Schafer; Sierra Schafer; Shawn Wolf, Kaylee Wolf, Alexis Wolf, Brooklyn (Jeff) Finley; Brittny (Matt) Hanks; Breanna (Caleb) Creek; Halie Schafer; Brittany Boyd, Christian (Melissa) Garza, Allison Schafer; and Lauren Schafer.
GRAND-DAUGHTER IN LAW: Sarah Oesterreich
23 Great Grandchildren;
An exchange student that became family: Frauke (Hartmut) Reuter
1 SISTER: Carlene (Tom) Shade.
2 BROTHERS: Don Goerlich and Eugene (Rita) Goerlich.
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.

In addition to her husband, Marilyn was preceded in death by: her parents, a son: Charles Robert ‘Chuck’ Schafer, two grandchildren: Christopher Schafer and Will Oesterreich, 4 brothers: Virgil Goerlich, Joe Goerlich, Robert Goerlich and Ken Goerlich and 2 sisters: Rita Bockhold and Joan Goerlich.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church, the Blessing Foundation for Hospice, or Quincy Notre Dame. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.