Gordon L. Schaaf
April 9, 2017Share using:
Hancock: Gordon L. Schaaf, 89, of Hancock, passed away on Sunday evening, April 9, 2017 at U.P. Health System-Portage in Hancock.
He was born on Quincy Hill on February 27, 1928 to the late William and Mabel (James) Schaaf, and he attended Quincy Schools.
He began working as a chauffeur for Rev. E. W. Felcher. For most of his life he was employed as a dry cleaner at the Service Shop Cleaners in Hancock until his retirement.
He married Barbara Korvanen on September 25, 1947. She preceded him in death in August of 2002.
Gordy was a wonderful father and grandfather, following his grandchildren's sports and activities throughout his life. He treasured the college crew poker nights with his grandsons and their friends in his later years.
Gordy's baseball career began as a youth in Hancock's city league and culminated playing with the Hancock Merchants, one of the top teams in the Western Upper Peninsula. Around age 20, Gordy switched from baseball to softball and pitched until he was 57 years old. He played for the Stevenson Chevrolet-Olds team and was a league administrator for several decades. He also organized a fast-pitch team that played annually against the inmates at Marquette Branch Prison. In 1991 he was inducted into the Michigan Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in recognition of his meritorious service in the sport. The city of Hancock's Gordy Schaaf Softball Field was named in his honor in 2016.
Gordy was an avid Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan. He loved to travel with his 2 nieces later in life. He also enjoyed attending 50 and older softball league games with his son-in-law. His Tuesday and Thursday cardiac rehab at U.P. Health System-Portage was very important to him.
Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by brothers Ronald, Donald, Elmer and Ray; and sisters Myrtle, Eleanor, Ethel, Helen, Evelyn, and Beatrice.
He is survived by his daughters Carol Schaaf of Lake Linden and Julie (Steve) Dunstan of Dollar Bay; a son David (Nancy) Schaaf of Ironwood; grandchildren Tonya, Tamara, Tory, Taryn, Clayton, Stacey, Ashley, Taylor, Jeff, Tim, and Tom; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother Bernie (Phyllis) Schaaf of Montana, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Graveside services will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in the spring. There will be no visitation.
Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to Gordy's family in his name. The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting with the arrangements.