Howard E. Schaffner

Howard E. Schaffner, 90, passed away on April 19, 2022 at the Spokane Veteran’s Home after a long bout with cancer. Home was Harrington, Wash. Howard was born Dec. 18, 1931 in Deer Park, Wash. to Urban and Cora (Holee) Schaffner.

Howard is a veteran of the Korean War, where he earned several medals, including the Korean Service Medal with 1 bronze star, United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. He grew up in Ford, Wash., on the family homestead located on the Spokane Indian Reservation.

He attended elementary school in the Ford School Building and later graduated from Springdale High School.

Following high school, Howard was drafted into the United States Army where he was subsequently sent to serve in the Korean War. He served two years with distinction as a soldier in the Korean War, including aiding with watching over 10,000 war prisoners. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him, as friends and family will attest. In 2013, his son-in-law Darren took him to Washington D.C. where he was able to visit the Korean War Memorial; a memory he talked of often.

He married his sweetheart Joan Loeffelbein on May 27, 1967. Shortly after, they moved to Harrington to raise their family. Howard worked various jobs for area farmers and raised his own cattle on the Loeffelbein homestead. He enjoyed all of the hard work that went into farming and was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan and son Melvin. He is survived by his children; Carolyn (Darren), Ron (Andrea), son Michael, and grandchildren Bella, Lidia, Jason, Luciana, and Mathew; as well as many others.

Howard was a loyal servant to God, first and foremost. He loved the church and loved sharing the love and warmth of our savior, Jesus Christ, with as many people as possible. He was a gentle servant of the Lord who preached the gospel by his actions and love.

Services will be held on Friday, April 29, 11:00 am at Harrington Church of the Nazarene, and he will be laid to rest in a family plot at Hillcrest Cemetery in Harrington, Wash.