Alvin M. "Fritz" Schaeffer Jr., R.N., 75, of Pine Grove, died Friday at home.
He was born Sept. 5, 1941, in Ravine, a son of Kathryn I. Rump Schaeffer and Alvin M. Schaeffer. He resided in Pine Grove for his entire life.
He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Scott Schaeffer, in 1978; his father in 1987, and his mother in 2007.
He was an active member of Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, served on the financial committee and was the recording secretary for Congregational Business Meetings.
He was a graduate of the Class of 1959 of Pine Grove Area High School, Pottsville Hospital School of X-ray Technology in 1961 and the Polyclinic Hospital School of Nursing from the Cowley Associates in Harrisburg.
He was a registered nurse for the past 43 years. He was employed as a nurse in various positions at the Polyclinic Medical Center until 1994. After that, he served in various skilled nursing homes as 11-7 charge nurse or night supervisor, including Orwigsburg Manor, Camp Hill Care Center and Grace Brethren Community Healthcare Center. His last employment before retiring in 2005 was at the Homeland Center, where he was charge nurse and nursing supervisor for seven years.
He also served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, discharged with the grade of staff sergeant. Following nursing school, he was commissioned and served in the Army Reserve, ANC and attained the rank of captain.
He is survived by his brother, Jeffrey L. Schaeffer; a nephew, Jeffrey L. Schaeffer Jr.; a niece, Billie-Jo Schaeffer Nelson; a son, Dr. Todd C. Schaeffer, from his former wife, Trudy Jackson Schaeffer. Dr. Schaeffer is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a board certified anesthesiologist in Harrisburg.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Echo Valley Grace Brethren Church, Pine Grove, with pastor Rod Finster officiating.