Patricia Ann (Vaughan) Schaffer

Patricia Schaffer passed away in her sleep, surrounded by her loving family, on October 24, 2023. Born on December 22, 1941, to her mother, Alma Vaughan (Talley), and her father, John Vaughan. She was raised on a farm in Little Red, Arkansas where she loved being outside helping her Daddy with chores. She attended school in Pangburn where she excelled in academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities.  She graduated in 1959 with a group of wonderful friends.  Many of them came to visit her during her final days on this earth.

After high school, she attended Arkansas State University, but after two years she moved to Wichita, Kansas in search of employment and stayed with her Aunt Peggy and Uncle Milton.  While there she fell in love with Larry Schaffer. Within a few months they were married on a front porch in Pangburn and she joined her new husband at Camp Pendleton where he was serving in the Marine Corps. During their time in California, they had their first child, Melany.  After finishing up with their tour of duty, they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where their two sons, Brian and Scott, were born.  This is where she would spend the next 34 years of her life.  She enjoyed the blessings of raising her children as a stay-at-home mother.  Once the kids were in school, she pursued a career in office management with a group of medical professionals.  The doctors were always so complimentary of her skills and abilities to manage such a great team of workers.  In addition to her daytime job, she participated in the numerous activities of her children.  She also was actively involved in her local church, Wichita Westside Church of the Nazarene, where she and her husband were spiritually transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

In 1998, Patricia and Larry retired from their work in Wichita and moved to their farm in McJester to finish out their years on this earth.  From the day she stepped foot back on the land where she played as a child, she opened up her house for people to enjoy.  She loved being so close to her sisters, Becca Crosby and Linda Bontrager.  And, she was privileged to be close to her Daddy and little brother, Johnny, during the final days of their lives. Everyone was welcome and she made people feel special; especially her grandkids who would come every summer to have fun on the farm.  Countless memories were made with her that will live on for eternity. Both her children and grandchildren always enjoyed going places with her, because she was very generous with her words, possessions, money and especially her love for them.  She was the type of person who made decisions based on her heart and not her pocketbook. She would thoughtfully express her love for others by sending encouraging notes, preparing delicious meals, purchasing items on someone’s wish list as well as spending time learning about the things each person in her life was interested in.  She prayed for people and encouraged them along life’s journey.  This was something she did until the last few months of her life.

On Tuesday, October 24, she entered into the visible and radiant presence of our God. This was an event which she, as a Christian, had been waiting and longing for during her entire life. And at that moment, it became a reality! In the presence of her savior, she was given the “crown of righteousness” and the heavenly body God had designed for her.  In addition to that, when she took her last breath, she celebrated a joyous reunion with her parents and other loved ones who had preceded her in death.

She leaves a strong God-fearing legacy in the form of her husband, Larry Schaffer; her children, Melany Clark (Bill), Brian Schaffer (Deborah), and Scott Schaffer (Jeannine); six grandchildren, Bryson Schaffer, Eric Schaffer (Emily), Ryan Clark (Ali), David Schaffer (Carlie), Hannah Schaffer, and Sarah Clark.  She has one great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Schaffer.  To her family and all who knew her, she was a loving, dedicated, compassionate, patient, and God-fearing woman.

The family will be holding a Celebration of Life service for Patricia at 1pm on Sunday, November 5th, at the Church of the Nazarene, 206 S 8th St, Heber Springs, AR 72543

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia Ann (Vaughan) Schaffer, please visit our floral store.