Loran J. Schaffer

Loran Joseph Schaffer was born September 13, 1914 to Joseph and Elizabeth Yeager Schaffer on a farm northeast of Beloit, Kansas. He departed this life of 94 years, four months and 12 days late Sunday afternoon at Hilltop Lodge in Beloit, Kansas.

Loran attended St. John's Grade School through the 6th grade. He went to Springfield County School for his 7th and 8th grade years utilizing a horse for transportation. His family got a Model T for him to drive to and from school, and he graduated from St. John's High School in the Class of 1933.

Farming was not for Loran and after high school he traveled with George Bardrick selling and setting tombstones. He also worked with the Union Pacific Railroad for a time.

It was on August 21, 1940 that he married Stella Marjorie Allen at Beloit, Kansas. This happy union was blessed with two sons Richard and Robert.

Loran started working for O.J. "Creamy" Hiserote who had the Chevrolet dealership. He began doing odd jobs but wanted to be an auto mechanic and Mr. Hiserote made this dream a reality. Having a strong work ethic, he quickly built a reputation of honesty and integrity. When the dealership was sold to Jim, Earl, and Bill Beardmore, he worked for them. When automatic transmissions came out, Loran became a specialist in repairing the Chevrolet Powerglide® transmission. In about 1956, he and his uncle Bill Yeager opened the B&L Auto Service on north Bell Street in Beloit. His reputation followed him and for the next 20 years repaired countless cars, trucks, and during harvest, combines and farm machinery. He sold the business in about 1976 when he retired.

A kind, friendly, and outgoing person, Loran did not know a stranger. He loved to garden; wore out a legendary TroyBilt® tiller, tilling not only for himself but many others. His leisure moments were happiest spent fishing, woodworking, and taking long bus trips with his wife Marjorie. He also enjoyed overseeing the operations of his farm ground.

Loran was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 921, and the Beloit Senior Center. He also served on the Board of Directors during the early days of the North Central Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School.

His beloved wife Marjorie died on January 26, 1994. In addition, he was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Tom, Ernest, Jim, and Kenneth Schaffer.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his sons Richard Schaffer of Claflin, Kansas, Robert Schaffer and wife Joyce of Lawrence, Kansas; one brother Albert Schaffer of Beloit, five grandchildren, five great grandchildren and many friends.

Father Jarett Konrade will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM Friday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will follow burial in St. John's Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to St. John's Memorial Trust Fund or the Beloit Senior Center. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home where the Parish Vigil & Rosary will be held at 7:00 P.M. Thursday.