Mary C. (Peterson) Gaffer

Obituary

Mary C. Gaffer, 86, of Decatur, IN, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at her residence. Mary was born in Decatur, IN, on August 31, 1934, the daughter of the late Merrill S. and Frances A. (Schneider) Peterson. On June 19, 1954, Mary married Jack Gaffer, he preceded her in death on September 11, 2007.

Mary was a parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and a member of its Rosary Society. She was a 1952 graduate of Decatur Catholic High School. She worked for Decatur Salvage for 33 years.

She is survived by a son, John C. (Marsha) Gaffer of New Haven; 4 daughters, Laura (Herb) Schlemmer of Convoy, OH, Virgene Becker, Paula Gaffer both of Decatur and Charmaine “Charli” (Steve) Werling of New Haven; a son-in-law, Roger Gage of Decatur; a brother, David (Kathy) S. Peterson of Ft. Wayne; a sister-in-law, Gloria Peterson of Kenosha, WI; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by a daughter, Anne M. Gage on November 22, 2010 and a brother, Max Peterson.

A reciting of the Holy Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, followed by 1 hour of visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will then be offered at 11:00 a.m., with Father David Ruppert presiding.

Burial will immediately follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Visiting Nurse Hospice.

The arrangements are being handled by Haggard-Sefton-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.