Dennis "Denny" G. Schaffner Jr.

Dennis G. Schaffner Jr. "Denny", born on October 23rd, 1949 in Silverton, Oregon transitioned peacefully to his heavenly home on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. He was the oldest child of eleven born to Dennis G. Schaffner Sr. and Katherine Susan Schaffner (Schaecher). The family moved often in the first 5 years as they followed construction jobs in Oregon and Washington. In 1955, the family relocated to the North Albany area. They rented an amazing old farmhouse, located on some beautiful acreage. This home was a treasured memory for Denny, he remembers that year being one of the most fun and free years of his childhood. A year later, the family purchased a home in West Albany where Denny lived until after graduating in 1967 from West Albany High. Those years were very challenging and burdensome for him sharing a room, bed and bathroom with several siblings, eating meals in two shifts and carrying a heavy load of responsibility as the oldest child in the household with endless chores and work outside the home to help bring in finances. In 1968 he left home enlisting in the US Navy, serving until 1972 where he specialized as a nuclear weapons technician. Denny married Jan A. Witbeck on July 31st, 1971, and they eventually settled in the Salem/Keizer area in 1973 when he began his faithful career with the U.S. Postal Service as an electronics technician and then later retired in 2007 as a maintenance supervisor. As a younger man, when he wasn't involved in church activities or coaching youth sports, Denny could be found running his drift-boat in search of steelhead, chasing chinook on various coastal rivers, catching rainbows at Diamond Lake or rifle/archery hunting for both deer and elk across Oregon. Fishing and hunting remained lifelong passions. In 1993, he traveled with his wife Jan to Europe for the first of at least 25 trips, to visit their daughter Jennifer and family, with two notable trips in 2006 and 2007 to become a temporary nanny for his 3 German grandchildren. Denny also closely followed the baseball career of his son Eric, traveling both domestically and internationally. Above fishing and hunting he highly treasured being with his children and 5 grandchildren, looking for every opportunity to do so. He also loved just chatting, connecting with friends and neighbors and sharing his freshly caught and self-smoked fish with all who would enjoy them along with gregariously mentoring many start-up salmon/steelhead fishermen. Denny was extremely organized, clean and meticulous of everything he owned. If something belonged to him or a friend it would be well cared for. In 1973, Denny invited Jesus Christ into his heart at 1st Assembly of God in Albany, Oregon, he was a contributing member to People's Church in Salem for 34 years and later Jesus Pursuit in Albany and Life Church in Salem. He was a praying man, teamed with his wife Jan, and remained so through all life's challenges and victories especially for each one in his family and extended family. Each of those individual lives are living proof and they will all be eternally grateful for his fervent persistance in that. Denny is survived by his wife Jan Schaffner of Keizer, Oregon; daughter Jennifer Spatz and husband Roland Spatz of Munich, Germany; son Eric Schaffner and wife Kim Schaffner of Bend, Oregon; grandchildren Alexander Spatz, Gerrit Spatz, Vanessa Spatz, Michael Schaffner, Isabella Schaffner and great-grandchild David Spatz; siblings Mark Schaffner, Gary Schaffner, Shelley McCallister, Cindy Neeley, Sue Gent, Shirley Edmiston, Melanie Baker, Dale Schaffner and Brad Schaffner. There will be a "Celebration of Life" service held at Jesus Pursuit Church: 2110 Santiam Hwy SE in Albany, Oregon 97322 at 1:30 pm on Saturday, January 23rd. A dessert reception will follow directly thereafter. Memorial contributions can be made via Cash App. ($redeemed4freedom), in honor of Dennis Schaffner. See redeemedforfreedom.com. A special thanks to Willamette Valley Hospice Care of Salem and Partners in Care Hospice of Bend along with Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home in Bend for their outstanding care and service. Any pictures, thoughts and memories of Denny are welcomed to be shared on this website and if submitted by Saturday, January 16th may be included in his "Celebration of Life."

Tributes

Dennis "Denny" G. Schaffner Jr.

October 23, 1949 - January 6, 2021