James Walter Saffer

James Walter Saffer, 82, of Punxsutawney, passed away surrounded by his children at his daughter’s home in Grampian,   

on Sunday, August 4, 2019.

He was born on July 23, 1937, in Waverly, Kentucky, a son of the late Walter Gabriel Saffer and Margaret Elizabeth (Girten) Saffer. 

In May 1957, he married the former Arlenna Louise Tyger. She preceded him in death on December 21, 2014.

Mr. Saffer was catholic by faith.

Jim was a well known driller and a tool pusher to the oil fields for many years.  His work spanned from Delta Drilling which became Neighbors and eventually Union Drilling, where he worked until he retired at the age of 73.

His enjoyments were looking for arrowheads, tinkering around, and fishing.  He especially loved to cook and barbecue chicken, which was his expertise.  His family liked to tease him for his special interest in UFO’S and Big Foot. 

He was most recently a member of the Polish Club in Delancey.  In the past he was a member of many clubs in the area where he loved to shoot the breeze and throw back a few with his friends.

Mr. Saffer is survived by two children, one son, Ronald James Saffer of Punxsutawney; one daughter, Cheryl A. Heilbrun and husband Carl of Grampian, PA; five grandchildren, Jamie Stonbraker and husband Nathan, Danielle Winkelman, Keith Winkelman and husband Joey, and Eric Winkelman; three great grandchildren, Shane Stonbraker; J.D. Stonbraker; and Oliver Winkelman; two brothers William Saffer and wife Florence of Nashville, TN, and Gerald Saffer and wife Jean of Newburyport, OH.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers, infant Charles Saffer; and John Saffer; and one sister; Elizabeth Gibson.

Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 7, 2019, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney. A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. at the funeral home officiated by Pastor David Stonbraker. Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery, Cloe, PA.

Memorial donations may be made in Jim’s memory to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital

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