Lawrence J. Schafter
November 14, 1948-December 20, 2022
Lawrence J. Schafter, 74, of Springfield and Lake Anna, VA, passed away peacefully at home on
December 20, 2022.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Ann Marie (Craft) Schafter, and two daughters Erin Salo
(Alexandria, VA) and Allyson Renzella (Springfield, VA), son-in-law Nicholas Renzella and two grandsons,
Alex and Aidan Renzella. He is also survived by three sisters Carol Butler (Seattle, WA), Gloria vonOy
(Fort Mill, SC), Joan Veitch (Arvada, CO), two brothers, Daniel Schafter (Lake Nedagamon, WI) and Patrick
Schafter (New London, CT), as well as two honorary brothers George and Donald Craft.
Lawrence, known to family and friends as Butch, was born in Seward, AK, on November 14, 1948. He
was a graduate of Cathedral Catholic HS in Superior, WI, attended University of Wisconsin and
graduated from Concord University in Athens, WV. Butch served in the US Army during the Vietnam
War, stationed primarily at Ft. Lee, VA. He was a practicing Certified Public Accountant for over 40 years
and filed many tax returns for friends and family over the years.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was quick to make a
joke, loved to tease his grandsons and nieces and nephews and never took life too seriously. His sense
of humor was legendary and will be missed by everyone who knew him. He was always in the
background ready to help and give of himself in service to others. A great smiling, gentle presence has
been taken from our family too soon.
A service and celebration of life will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 3 pm at Fairlington Community
Center, 3005 S. Abingdon St., Arlington, VA 22206. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations
to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital be made in his name.
I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Butch. He was a wonderful husband and father and I know he will be greatly missed. I will be delighted to donate to St. Jude’s in his name. It is one of my favorite charities and I donate often to them.
Love you. I’ll keep you in my prayers
My dear friend, Ann Marie, I am so sorry and will be praying for you and your family during this difficult time.😘
Condolences from Butch’s cousins in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. Send our thoughts and prayers to the entire family.
Rilla Schafter-Quinlan’s children: Joanne Villemure, Tim Quinlan and Barb Bennett
Ann Marie ,
I just do not have the words to express how sorry I am. for your loss Although I did not really know Butch, I feel like I did through all of our conversations at work and our many cups of coffee/tea together. He was a lucky man to have a loving wife, wonderful daughters, fantastic grandchildren, and a kind son-in-law.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
Dear Ann Marie and family. We send our deepest sympathy to you all in this time of your great loss.
May you find comfort in sharing the life and legacy of your husband, father and grandfather.
We will pray for you all and know prayer will bring you through this darkest of times.
Love Connie & George
Dear Ann Marie,
Know you and your family have been in our prayers. We would love a chance to visit with you later this year. May the memories of the good times help you through this period.
Love,
Tom & Natalie