Elna Arlene Schafer

Elna Arlene Schafer of Griffith, Indiana peacefully fell asleep in death February 20, 2026 at 99 years of age.

Arlene, as she was known by her family and friends, was born August 10, 1926 to the late Wade and Goldie (nee Phillips) Aumiller in Chalco, Nebraska before relocating to Northwest Indiana, where she attended Morton high school in Hessville.

She loved life and was beautiful and intelligent with a feisty sense of humor that kept her grandchildren and great grandchildren always entertained and  laughing. Whether she was belting out an old 40s or 50s song in the middle of a road trip or calling them on April fools day with her usual pranks, they all adored her.

In the early 1950s she began successfully selling Sarah Coventry jewelry.  Then In the 1960s she went back to school, got her GED and enrolled in Don Roberts School of Beauty where, from her beauty shop in her home, she enjoyed her passion for cosmetology and all things of beauty .She later went to work in the cosmetic department of Ribordy’s in Highland, and in the 1970s went to work for Highland Pharmacy in cosmetics and jewelry and became a buyer for the jewelry department. She also took art classes and loved painting in oils.  She was very skilled at crocheting and made beautiful gifts of all kinds for her family and friends.

She made many loyal friends through out her life and she had an amazing memory- remembering nearly every detail about everyone she met. She had a natural gift for matchmaking and for making people feel seen, loved and important.  

She and her husband and best friend of 76 years, Wesley,  raised four children of whom they were very proud and loved unconditionally - always there for them.  Involved in their lives whether it was baseball, music lessons, science fair projects, trips to zoos, museums and amusement parks, broken bones and broken hearts they were totally devoted to their family.  They loved road trips and traveled by car, train and RV from coast to coast and everywhere in between. to be with their family.

After retirement they enjoyed antiques, garage sales, gardening and became caregivers to many children who, along with the parents were added to their large family circle of those they loved.

Arlene’s beauty, humor, fierce love, and unforgettable spirit will live on in the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Arlene is survived by her beloved husband of 76 years, Wesley Schafer, age 104, who adored and supported her through all of her endeavors and their adventures together.  He lovingly cared for her in her final years.  

She was a loving mother to daughter, Marcia O’Halloran; sons, Terry Schafer(Angie) , Rick (Maxine) Schafer.   She was a proud, devoted grandmother to Darren (Judi) Serhal, Chris O’Halloran,  Melissa (Ron) White,  Robbie Phillips, Robbin Phillips, Brendon (Breigh) Schafer, Tegan Schafer, Liz(Brian)Terborg Sporrer, Michael Donellon, Sandy Hazzard; great grandchildren, Chloe Kwasny (fiancé Kurt Lajcin), Tristan O’Halloran and Thom O’Halloran, Ryan and Andrew Powers and their father, Ryan Powers,  Alice Jayne Schafer; daughters-in-law, Diane Schafer and Mary Schafer; and her family of caregivers that she affectionately referred to as “My girls“ who lovingly cared for her. And her special friend, Michael Raketich.

In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by her first born son, Michael (Michiko) Solan; granddaughter, Julia Powers; brothers, Morris (Nelly) Tunis, Clarence (Marge) Tunis, Hank Aumiller, Audry (Shirly) Aumiller, Dee (Verma) Aumiller, Lee (Betty) Aumiller; and beloved niece and nephews.

A private service will take place at a later date.

Cremation services entrusted to Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland, Indiana  46322:  219-838-0800.  

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