Eugene Russell Schaafsma, age 90 of St. Anne, IL, passed away on December 30, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was born on Dec. 18, 1928 in Wichert, Illinois the son of Arthur Bert (AB) and Cornelia Koster Schaafsma. Eugene married Ramona Barney on Sept. 30, 1949.

Surviving are his wife, Mona; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Chris Miller; son and daughter-in-law, Gerry and Kathy Schaafsma; son and daughter-in-law, Jim & Jennifer Schaafsma; and son, Paul Schaafsma. He was a fun-loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Karin Miller (Joshua Gross), Sarah (Jeff) Dunifon, Tyler Schaafsma, Graham Schaafsma, Genna Schaafsma, Jake Schaafsma, Emma (Andrew) Schoenbeck, Hannah Schaafsma, Ryan Schaafsma, and Ava Schaafsma. He also has many surviving nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in his death were his parents; three sisters, Johanna (Lionel) Westerhoff, Ida (Robert “Bud”) Slingerland, Evelyn (John) Hoekstra; and brother, Arthur F. (Cora) Schaafsma, and a grandson, Reed Schaafsma.

Eugene was a proud Army veteran and a retired farmer who held a second job as an inventory specialist at Armour Pharmaceuticals for 32 years. Eugene cherished his family. He enabled all four of his children to graduate from college. He especially enjoyed planning vacations and has traveled to all 50 United States & many foreign countries. He shared his quiet spirit & keen sense of humor with many over the years. He was a dedicated Chicago Cubs fan and was elated to see them win the World Series in 2016.

He graduated from St. Anne High School and was a member of the Wichert Reformed Church.

A funeral service will take place on Thursday, January 3, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Renaissance Funeral Home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Wichert, Illinois.