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June 4, 1928 – Oct. 26, 2015

RIVERTON, Iowa — Services for Clarence Alfred Schaffner, 87, who died Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Riverton Church of Christ.

A graveside service will be noon Saturday at Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia, Iowa, under the direction of Shull-Gude Funeral Home in Riverton.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mr. Schaffner was born June 4, 1928, near Albia, Iowa.

Clarence’s career as a minister began when he preached his first sermon at the age of 16. He continued to preach in various churches in the Moravia area before moving to Louisiana in 1950. Clarence received a bachelor’s degree in theology from Midwestern School of Evangelism in Ottumwa, Iowa. Clarence and Betty established their home in Ferriday but preached to many different congregations on most Sundays. He also taught in several Bible colleges across the state of Louisiana.  

As a respected evangelist, he held revival meetings nationwide and published articles in various religious publications.  

They continued to live in Louisiana until 1969 when Betty died.

He preached in Riverton from 1970 until about one year ago when his health began to fail. He also preached in Hamburg, Iowa, for a number of these years. His career as a minister spanned more than 70 years.

In 2008, he married Linda Huff, his longtime friend and business partner and welcomed her two children into his family and loved and nurtured them as his own. 

He was preceded  in death by his parents; three brothers, Louis, Horace and William; one sister, Lillie Belle; his first wife; one daughter-in-law, Phyllis Schaffner; and one granddaughter, Stephanie Martilee Moody. 

Clarence is survived by his wife, Linda; his children Tim Schaffner and wife, Julia, of Thorton, Colo., John Schaffner and wife, Roberta, of Wray, Colo., Dr. Paul Schaffner and wife, Diane, of Valley Center, Calif., Kathy Moody and husband, Paul, of Atascosa, Texas, Becky Schaffner of Iowa City, Dr. Nathan Schaffner and wife, Liz, of Fort Collins, Colo., Clarence Matthew Schaffner of Lincoln, Neb., James Schaffner and wife, Kristin, of Simi Valley, Calif., Daniel Huff and wife, Niqee, of Rapids City, S.D., Amy Hawks and husband, Kenny, of Omaha, Neb., and Mary Margaret Schaffner; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; his sister, Letha Lawson and husband, Ronnie, of Moulton, Iowa; his brother, Bob Schaffner and wife, Mary, of Seymour, Iowa; along with a number nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends.  

He is also survived by his granddog Baxter who loved him very much.

He never met a stranger and always had time for everyone, especially God, family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverton Church of Christ, Riverton Fire and Rescue or Rock Port Fire and Rescue.

Online condolences may be sent to gudefuneralhomes.com.