Memorials

Robert J. Saffer, 87, of Columbia City, died at 6:20 a.m. Thursday, April 2, 2009 at Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.

He was born August 14, 1921 in New York, NY a son of Adam “Eddie” and Margaret (Gallagher) Saffer. His formative years were spent in Staten Island, New York. The family then moved to Union City, New Jersey, where he graduated from Union Hill High School.
On August 1, 1942, he joined the US Army where he served as an aerial engineer in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged July 6, 1945. Returning to Union City, he attended the Casey Jones Aeronautical School.
On October 13, 1945, he was united in marriage to Marjorie Williams. In 1947, they moved to Fort Wayne and in 1960 to South Whitley. In 2002, they moved to Columbia City.
He began his career in trucking as a dispatcher for Day’s Transfer in Fort Wayne where he worked for 10 years. He became President of South Whitley Trucking Co. where he worked for over 30 years, retiring in 1985.
He was a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church and member of American Legion Post #98. He was a past President of the South Whitley Lions Club serving in 1966.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 63 years, Marjorie; a son, William J.(Kathi) Saffer of Fort Wayne; four daughters, Barbara (David) Renner, Fort Wayne, Beverly (Thomas) Adams, Lafayette, Betty (Greg) Fetro, South Whitley and Bonnie (Tony) Crowe, Columbia City; twelve grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four great-great- grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Marion Spenle and Anna Marion Breitenbach and a brother Joseph Saffer.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 6th at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church,

315 S. Line Street, Columbia

City with Father Lawrence Kramer the officiant. Visitation will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8p.m., Sunday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City with a Rosary Service at 8:00 p.m. The burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Columbia City.
For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne or St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church.