Roland Herbert Schafer

Roland married Harriet in 1906 and they lived for many years in Bay City. During the 1930s, the 1940s and the 1950s he and his sons operated the Bay City Plumbing and Heating Company. Roland started as a plumber and he ran the company as president.

Bay City Times July 20, 1959 page four Roland Schafer, Ill Month, Dies Rites Wednesday for Plumbing Firm Head Roland H. Schafer, 75, 1425 North Trumbull street, president, Bay City Plumbing and Heating Co., died Saturday at Mercy hospital after a month's illness.

Services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Woodside Methodist church, the Rev. Herbert Elford officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn cemetery.

Born in Bay City April 4, 1884, he had also served as a First ward commissioner in 1939-40, and was a master plumber.

He was a member of the Woodside Methodist church's official board and a former trustee, and also belonged to its Men's club. He had been superintendent of its Sunday school for more than 25 years. He was a past member of the official board of the Council of Churches.

A pigeon fancier he was also a judge and registrar of the American Rabbits Breeders Association. He held membership in that association, American Commercial Rabbits Breeders Association, Michigan State and Saginaw Valley Rabbits Breeders Association, American Federation of New Zeeland Breeders, American Poultry Association, Inc., Bay City Poultry Association and Bay City Central Sports Club.

Survivors include his widow the former Anna Panknin, four sons, Robert of Bay City and Francis, Roland N. and Jack all of Essexville. A fifth son Herbert preceded him in death in 1956.

Other survivors include two step-children, Mrs. Alice M. Ward of Bay City and Howard O. Panknin of Francis E. Warren Air Base in Cheyenne, Wyo.; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lillian Schafer of Bay City; a sister Mrs. William Bateson of Kawkawlin, Mich.; and 25 grandchildren.

His first wife, the former Harriet Johnson, died in 1933. His marriage to Anna Panknin took place here in Jan. 1950.

The body is at the Vallender and Penzien Funeral home. It will be removed to the church at noon Wednesday to lie in state until time of service.

Memorial cards for the Woodside Methodist church and the Heart fund are available at the home.

Find A Grave Memorial# 105974605

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