Michele Lynn Schaefer of Lexington, Ohio passed away, surrounded by her family on May 24, 2026 at the age of 58. She was born on May 11, 1968 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Luther and Patricia Funderburk. She was baptized at The First Baptist Church in Pittsburgh in December of 1979 where her father officiated. She met David Schaefer in Fort Meyer Beach, Florida on March 19, 1990 and they later married August 28, 1993 at Stanwood Community Church in Navarre, Ohio. Together they had four children; Hannah, Catherine, William, and Emma.
A 1986 graduate of Jackson High School, Michele was a gifted athlete who participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, and track. She continued her education at Bowling Green State University, earning her bachelor’s degree in social work, and later received her Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 1993. She eventually became a certified oncology social worker, a role that reflected both her compassion and calling.
Michele started her career at Hospice of North Central Ohio and later moved to Samaritan Hospital in Ashland, Ohio where she worked as a medical social worker for 15 years. She took some time off while her kids were growing up and came back to work as a hospice social worker for Hospice of North Central Ohio. Working with end of life patients was Michele’s greatest passion and she always spoke of what an honor it is to help people during this phase of life. Inspired by her son’s and mother’s battle with cancer, she later shifted her career to an oncology social worker where she helped and inspired her patients to fight for their lives. She worked at OhioHealth Mansfield Oncology Office.
Michele loved her family above everything else. She always said she was happiest when all of her kids were under one roof. Michele’s love for sports was passed down through her kids. While her kids were growing up, you could find Michele at various sporting events cheering on her kids. She never missed a game, rain or shine, and you always knew Michele was there as she was the loudest one on the sidelines.
The only thing Michele may have loved more than her kids were her dogs. Michele was an avid dog lover and more times than once came home with a dog unplanned. She taught her kids that dogs are family and that returned dogs still deserve love.
Michele was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and just like she inspired her patients battling cancer to fight, she fought her own battle ferociously with strength until the very end.
Michele is survived by her husband, David Schaefer; their children, Hannah (Gage), Catherine (Gavin), William, and Emma; her father Luther Funderburk; her brother Jeff (Lori) Funderburk; aunt Jeanie Loiselle; her parents-in-law John and Margaret Schaefer; aunt Janice Bartos; her sister-in-law Jennifer (Steven) Bettley, and multiple nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Patricia Funderburk and aunt Marilyn Seifried.
Michele’s family would like to thank everyone who has reached out during this heart breaking time. It is evident that Michele was loved by so many and touched the lives of everyone she met. The family invites all who knew and were touched by Michele to send a legacy letter to Michele.legacy.letters@gmail.com to be preserved by her family.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Michele’s life during calling hours on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. at the Lexington Avenue Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes. A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, June 2, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., also at the Lexington Avenue Chapel. A graveside service will follow in Lexington Cemetery.
Michele’s passionate project while working at OhioHealth Mansfield Oncology Office was “Michele’s Hope Chest”. What started as a small cardboard box under her desk filled with gas gift cards that Michele would hand out to patients, turned into something much larger. Michele’s Hope Chest is a resource for cancer patients who are experiencing financial toxicity and have access to basic needs such as food, clothing, hygiene products, and personal care products. In lieu of flowers, Michele’s family is asking for donations to be made to Michele’s Hope Chest at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital’s Oncology Office. Please go to the link below to make a donation: Michele’s Hope Chest Donation Page.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes Lexington Avenue Chapel
Website: www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com