SCHAFER, Eloise L. (Penoi)

Eloise Lucia Penoi Schafer, age 94, a 66 year resident of Needles, Calif., passed away quickly Sunday, May 25, 2008, in Bullhead City. Mrs. Schafer was born Dec. 30, 1913, near Anadarko, Okla. to Mark Penoi (a Pueblo Indian from Laguna) and Eloise Butler Reese Penoi (a Cherokee of the Aniwodi Paint Clan). Upon graduation from Oklahoma College for Women, Mrs. Schafer taught several years at Albuquerque Indian School. After her marriage in 1938 to George Schafer, she devoted herself to raising her family and actively supporting the Needles community. She was a member of several service organizations, often serving as treasurer. She was recognized as an honored leader of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, served for several terms on the Needles School Board, helped with both the Head Start Program and Needles Hospital Auxiliary (Pink Ladies), and volunteered at the Needles Museum. She also belonged to the Eastern Star, the Needles Women’s Club, and the Lady Trainmen (Ladies Auxiliary of the United Transportation Union). When she was not helping others, Mrs. Schafer enjoyed travel. She roamed over much of the United States, eight countries in Europe, Central America, Mexico, Canada and even the Holy Land. She always had two books going and loved the intellectual stimulation of learning new skills and subjects. Her graduate work at the University of Oklahoma inspired her to be an avid Sooners fan. Mrs. Schafer was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, George Schafer, Jr. in 1975; three sisters, Una Conover, Mildred Stearns and Elizabeth Penoi; and two brothers, Mark Penoi and Charles Penoi. She is survived by three children, Lucia (Mrs. Harold Baldwin) of Topeka, Kan., Katie (Mrs. Eugene Harris) of Grass Valley, Calif., and George Schafer III (wife Nee Ballita Richardson) of Mohave Valley. She also leaves several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, June 13, where Mrs. Schafer worshiped, St John’s Episcopal Church, 2020 J Street, Needles, Calif. Burial will be in the Penoi plot at Anadarko, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to do something in memory of Mrs. Schafer contribute to a charity of their choice. The mailing address for the family is Box 25, Needles, CA 92363. Arrangements by Dimond & Sons Silver Bell Chapel.