John Clement Scheafer

John C. Scheafer, 81, of Sioux Falls formerly of the Chester/Colton area began eternal rest Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Avera Heart Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Huntimer-St. Joseph The Workman Catholic Church, rural Colton. Burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM followed by a Christian Wake Service and praying of the Rosary Friday, December 21, 2018 at the church.

John was born in Montrose, SD on December 8, 1937 to John and Maxine (Singer) Scheafer. John attended and played basketball at Franklin High School, graduating in 1956. He joined the US Navy, traveling as far as Japan, and was honorably discharged in 1958.  Afterward he obtained a BS in political science from USD and was a member of the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. He attended a year of law school at the University of Wyoming in 1965.

John and Mary Alyce McAreavey were joined in marriage in 1962, and while living and working in several places, raised five children. In 1976, they moved to the family farm near Colton, SD. Mary passed in 1983.  John continued to farm and drive truck until 1991, when he bought the Chester Pool Hall and then sold it in 1996, returning to driving truck.

In 2000, John married Bernardine Schwans and they remained living in Sioux Falls after both were retired by 2011. They are members of the St. Mary’s Parish. John had developed his artistic skill of wood burning and kept busy with family events

.John is survived by his wife, Bernie; five children and their families, Curt (Shannen) in Sioux Falls and children, Quaid, Noah and Taite, Joli (Todd) Lofstedt in Louisville, CO and children, Addison, Ben and Sawyer, Angela (Kris) Aldrich of Dakota Dunes and children, Kelsey, Morgan (Cody) Potts, Carter and Jaycee, Ted of Sioux Falls and children TJ and Jake and John of Sioux Falls; siblings, Bill (Barb), Ken, Corinne (Roger) Bartlett, Irene Carmody and Tony (Gaye). He is also survived by step children, Troy (Laurie) Schwans and daughter, Rachel, Jay (Tesa) Schwans and children, Brittany Schwans, Mikayla (Mark) Johnson and Alex McDermott and Roxanne Schwans and children Jacob and Joshua Eichacker. He also has two step great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; parents and siblings, Mary, Daniel, Jerome,Vern, Barb, Elaine and two infants.

He will be greatly missed for his sense of humor, love of sports and faith in the Lord.