Darleen M. Schaefer

Darleen Mae Schaefer, aged 99, of Linn, MO, passed away on February 18, 2026, at Oak Tree Villas in Jefferson City, MO.

She was born November 15,1926, in Belle, MO, a daughter to the late Joseph and Clara (Pearon) Pointer. 

She graduated from Indian Creek grade school, a one-room school in the Belle area in 1939, and from Belle High School in 1943. 

She married the love of her life, W.G. “Buck” Schaefer on September 29, 1948, at St. George Church in Linn, MO. He preceded her in death on December 21, 1996.

Darleen worked at the Linn Manufacturing Co. as a secretary for ten years until its closing and then for the State of Missouri Social Services as a Personnel Clerk for 16 years until her retirement in 1988. Darleen was parishioner at St. George Church and a life member of VFW Post 4756 Ladies Auxiliary. She was an active member in both until mobility issues limited the number of pies she could cut, chicken she could fry and loaves of zucchini bread she could bake. 

She and Buck belonged to the Osage Trail Riders and enjoyed many trail rides around the state with their horses. She played the guitar in her younger years until arthritis made it impossible. For many years she volunteered at the Good Shepherd food pantry. 

After her retirement, she and Buck spent six months each year in Florida. She loved to travel and made many trips to Germany, France, Canada, Austria, Switzerland and Greece. She loved to fish and from Alaska to Florida she never passed up an opportunity to throw a line in the water

She is survived by two daughters, Vickie Helmig of Hoschton, GA and Charlotte (Aaron) Belser of Laughlin, NV, 12 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 3 great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sons-in-law, Aaron Belser and her daughter-in-law, Margaret Schaefer.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 48 years, she was preceded in death by her son Randy, her daughter, Debbie, two sons-in-law, Dick Helmig and Jerry Shockley, one grand-daughter Samantha Schaefer and one great granddaughter Morgan Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a. m. until 11:00 a. m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at St George Catholic Church in Linn. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a. m. with Fr. Colin Franklin as the Celebrant. 

Interment will be in the St George Parish Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Darleen requested expressions of sympathy be made to either Good Shepherd Food Pantry, P.O. Box 763, Linn, MO 65051, Osage County Memorial VFW Auxiliary 4756, P.O. Box 34, Linn, MO 65051, or St. George Catholic Church, 613 East Main Street, Linn, MO 65051.