Harold ''Bunky'' W. Schafer

Harold (Bunky) William Schafer of Abingdon, MD, went home to be with the Lord on April 18, 2009 at Upper Chesapeake Hospital in Bel Air, surrounded by his loving family. He was 81 years old.

Mr. Schafer was born in Bel Air, Maryland, the son of the late Peter Joseph Schafer and Mary Elizabeth Wiker Schafer. He was a lifelong resident of Harford County and worked as an automotive technician until his retirement in 1990.

Bunky was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Bel Air. He was a 1945 graduate of Bel Air High School and was an outstanding athlete in baseball, softball, basketball, football and track. He was voted "Best Athlete of his Graduating Class" and his class listed him as a man most likely to succeed in sports. He certainly had a right to this compliment, for he was always on the athletic go whether in school or out, spring, summer or fall, either with adults or adolescents. He coached American Legion baseball and played semi-professional baseball with the Susquehanna Baseball League from 1948-1951. He was an active member of the Susquehanna "Old-Timer's" Baseball League of Harford and Cecil Counties. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1955. While stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, by both playing and managing a softball team, he led his team to the base championship. It was while at Edwards that Bunky had his finest years in the diamond game. As a playing manager, he was the leader in almost every conceivable offensive department that the local league had records for, and they even had to make new records. Bunky was a lifetime avid fan of the Baltimore Orioles and rarely missed a televised game.

Mr. Schafer was predeceased by two brothers, Charles Edward Schafer and John Wiker Schafer and two sisters, Mary Louise Schafer and Doris Elaine Caudill Workman.

Mr. Schafer is survived by his beloved wife, Arlene Burcham Schafer, to whom he was married 58 years, two devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia Lynn Cole and Timothy Cole of Havre de Grace, and Diane Patricia Smith and James G. Smith of Abingdon. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Melissa Schadt Wetters and husband, Mike, Ryan Smith, Joshua Smith and fiancée Lindsay Klingler, Kayleigh Cole and two great grandchildren. A man of God with a kind and gentle spirit, Bunky was truly loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.

A luncheon will follow the service at the church after a private entombment at Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers are Timothy Cole, Ryan Smith, Joshua Smith, Michael Wetters, Richard Schafer, and Kenneth Walls. Honorary pallbearers are James G. Smith and Stephen Kazlo.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 206 E. Courtland Place,
Bel Air, MD 21014.