Charles Bernard Schaff

Charles Bernard Schaff, 80, of Abilene passed away August 10, 2016 at his home. There will be a visitation on Sunday August 14 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street. A graveside service with full military honors will be held on Monday at 10:00 am at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene.

Charles Bernard Schaff was born on August 5, 1936 in Lawrence, Kansas to Bernard Q. Schaff and Helen (Bradley) Schaff. His family moved to Miami, Oklahoma while Charles was young and it was there that he and his sister Nancy were raised. In 1955, Charles graduated from Miami High School.

In 1956, Charles enlisted in the United States Air Force. He took a break in service in 1959 and attended North Eastern Oklahoma Jr. College before re-enlisting in 1961. During his twenty-three years of service, as a print foreman, he was stationed numerous places, state-side and overseas. While assigned to the Pentagon in 1968 he met Violet Mae Berry, the love of his life, and her four children. They married on January 13 1972 in Annandale, Virginia. He retired as a Technical Sergeant in 1981 from the USAF while stationed at Dyess Air Force Base.

A second career involved working as a print shop foreman for the City of Abilene for seventeen years, retiring in 1998. He never met a stranger; he loved to talk to and get to know everyone he came into contact with. He was an avid Texas Ranger Fan and enjoyed riding his Honda Goldwing back in the day. He will be remembered for the great man he was for taking on the responsibility of raising four children as his own. He was a lifetime member of the USAF Sergeants Association, VFW, NCOA, and DAV.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, John Ferguson; and a nephew, Clay Ferguson. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mae and four children, Kenneth James Berry of Abilene; Melissa Simpson and husband Steve of Early; Alisa Davis and husband Johnny of Abilene; Lisa Ann Berry of Abilene; sister, Nancy Ferguson of Tulsa. Oklahoma; his six grandchildren, Desire Nicole Bryan, Tana Brooke Simpson, Teresa Marie Barnes, Tony Charles (T.C.) Jimenez, Jakob Drew Berry and Austin Ray Simpson; his four great-grandchildren; Emma Barnes, Barron Barnes, Jovani Jimenez and Lilli Roberts; as well as many other extended family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Charles to the American Cancer Society, www.donate2.cancer.org/index. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.