George Mark Schaefer, 83

George Mark Schaefer, 83, beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away Feb. 19, 2025, at Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. George was born Sept. 14, 1941, in Los Angeles, Calif., a son of the late Jerome and Deloria (Faust) Schaefer. 

George attended Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minn., where he graduated with the Class of 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and proudly served our country until his honorable discharge in 1965. On June 7, 1971, George married Catherine “Kathy” Lynch in California. The couple moved to Mullan that same year. George found employment at the Bunker Hill, Star and Galena mines for most of his career. George and his wife, Kathy, were the founder and owner of Schaefer’s Marine in Wallace, where they sold and repaired Polaris recreational vehicles and Crestliner boats.

George was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and boating with his family and friends. He spent many years gold panning on his days off work and had a claim in Montana. He coached Little League and enjoyed watching his family play sports. George was an avid gardener. He maintained a large garden next to his home in Mullan. In his later years, he grew container gardens on his patio. He was an avid Seahawks, Mariners and Dodgers fan. After retirement from the mines and Schaefer’s Marine, George became a CNA and cared for many local people needing assistance, including his wife, Kathy, and his father, Jerry. George’s love of family and desire to care for others is a cherished part of the memories we hold for him.

In addition to his parents, George is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathy, who passed away in 2008. 

Survivors include his three children, Cindy Willard of St. Maries, Idaho, Larry (Jodi) Wilburn of Wallace, Idaho, and Shori (Brian) Horak of Spokane, Wash.; eight grandchildren, Kasey, Skyler, Ash, Katie, Laura, Lewey, Tiffany and Hilarey; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Doug (Cathi) Schaefer of Rathdrum, Idaho; a sister, Patty (Robin Towne) Schaefer of Silverton, Idaho; a niece, Tes; and a nephew, Dan. 

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 7, 2025, at Mountain View Cemetery in Mullan, Idaho. 

George’s family suggests that donations in his memory be made to Loving Care and More, P.O. Box 119, Silverton, ID 83867. 

Memories of George and messages of condolence may be shared online with his family at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Schaefer family with arrangements.