Services will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016, 11:00 am at the Hoosier Village Retirement Center Chapel, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to Wheeler Missions Ministries, 205 East New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, wheelermission.org
Francis A. Schiffhauer, a dedicated father and husband, died Saturday, October 29, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN. He was born in Lackawanna, NY on August 2, 1924 to Marion (Murphy) and Francis E. Schiffhauer. Fran attended West Seneca and Technical High Schools, where a principal implored him to invest his time in Chemistry classes which, he said, opened his eyes to another world. Upon graduation in 1942, he enlisted in the Army, where he served in World War II in Company E 406th Infantry until his discharge. He was wounded in action. Fran was grateful for the GI bill, which allowed him to graduate from Purdue University with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. He worked for Allied Chemical for many years as a plant manager, until he retired in 1985.
He married Truth Haase on August 26th, 1950. During their marriage they lived in Buffalo, NY, Wilmington and Newark, DE, Baton Rouge, LA, and Elkton and Baltimore, MD. Since 2009, he lived with Truth at Hoosier Village Retirement Center in Indianapolis where he was her devoted caregiver until her passing on May, 6, 2016.
Fran volunteered with numerous homeless initiatives and as a Lector at his church. He was an avid vegetable gardener. He took his children camping in the mountains and at the beach, where he also loved to fish. A singer, he performed in church choirs and amateur theatrical groups. In retirement he sang with the University of Delaware Schola Cantorum and the Northern Delaware Oratorio Society. He loved and found comfort in opera.
Fran was preceded in death by his wife, Truth and brother, James Schiffhauer. He is survived by children Michael (Rebecca), Matthew (Robin), Marian (Don) Erler, Daniel (Laura), Thomas (Chrissy), Peter (Renee), Francis, Margaret (Timothy) Giardina; siblings Mary Bernard, Catherine Cole, Daniel Schiffhauer, Anne Cavalcoli (Mark) and Mona Kontos (Jim); 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 6 step grandchildren, 10 step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016, 11:00 am at the Hoosier Village Retirement Center Chapel, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to Wheeler Missions Ministries, 205 East New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204, wheelermission.org
Indiana Funeral Care is honored to serve this veteran and his family and we encourage you to leave a message of condolence or a heartfelt memory at www.indianafuneralcare.com
Jeanne Russell says
Francis and Truth were such wonderful and delightful people. Truth was my patient in Dr. Kurt VanWinkle’s dental office. I will miss them both.
howard simmons says
Matt and Family,
I want to offer my condolences on your loss, too soon after the loss of your mother this year. However, upon reflection, I remember a lot of fun and good times watching the Schiffhauer clan grow up, mostly from under the basketball net next to your driveway. The countless hours we spent there and at the Windybush Swim Club during the warmer months. I also fondly remember my first toboggan experience when I visited your family in Buffalo after they had relocated there after high school. I hope all of you are well. I know Matt is still in the Wilmington area and last I knew Tom was also. Matt and Tom, maybe we can get together sometime for lunch after things settle down.
My best to all, sincerely,
Howard