Wayne Wilks Schaffer was born November 1, 1918 in Auburn, Nebraska to Dr. Brady B. and Lora (Dodds) Schaffer. Wayne attended Auburn High School and graduated in 1936. He then attended Peru State College, Peru, Nebraska, for one year and Cleveland Chiropractic College in Kansas City, Missouri where he graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic.

On January 21, 1942, Wayne was inducted into the United State Navy and proudly served his country during World War Two. While stationed in the Philippines, he served as a pharmacist mate and x-ray technician. Wayne received his honorable discharge on October 26, 1945.

On August 3, 1944, Wayne was united in marriage to Emilie H. Langr in Sand Point, Idaho. After returning from the service, the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Wayne did post-graduate studies at what is now the National University of Health Sciences. After practicing in Marshall, Missouri, they moved back to Auburn, where Wayne worked as production manager for Auburn Machine Works. In 1965, he resumed the practice of chiropractic with Dr. Gallup in Rock Port, Missouri. Wayne opened his own practice in Tarkio, Missouri in 1966, retiring in 1990. He continued to live in Tarkio until recently. Wayne passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at Pleasant View Nursing Home in Rock Port at the age of 90 years.

Wayne was an active member of the American Legion in Auburn and Tarkio, as well as the Legion’s Drum and Bugle Corp in Auburn. While there, he was a member of the Auburn Housing Board. As a member of the Auburn Christian Church and the Tarkio Christian Church, he served as Deacon and Elder. He was a member of various chiropractic associations and was a former Tarkio City Councilman. Wayne also served on the Tarkio Housing Board. He joined the Auburn Eagles Club, where he developed a skill for dancing. Since the age of 8, Wayne was an avid wood worker, a hobby by which he expressed his creative talents.

In addition to his parents, Wayne is preceded in death by his wife, Emilie; one brother, Leon Schaffer and one sister, Ruth Schaffer. Wayne is survived by one son, Gary Schaffer and his wife, Martha, Nebraska City, Nebraska and one daughter, Betsy Thomas and her husband, Jerry, Rock Port, Missouri. Other survivors include seven grandchildren, Matthew Schaffer, Amy Reynolds, Lora Burki, Anne Reynolds, Mindy Walker, Clint Thomas and Kerry Thomas; six great-grandchildren, Brody Schaffer, Emilie Burki, Will and Ben Walker, Hannah and Carter Thomas; one sister, Muriel B. Reichardt; sister-in-law, Barbara Schaffer; numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services:
10:30 am, Saturday, March 28, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
There is no scheduled family visitation. Open visitation will begin after 9:00 am, Friday, March 27, 2009 at Davis Funeral Home.
Memorials: Tarkio Christian Church or Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.