Steven J. Schaefer

Steven J. Schaefer, 62, longtime Indianapolis businessman and civic leader, died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family March 4, 2015. Mr. Schaefer was born June 25, 1952, in Indianapolis, to the late Michael G. Schaefer and Doris (Johnson) Schaefer, who survives.

Steve attended St. Andrew Grade School and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1970, where he excelled in football. He continued his education at Purdue University, where he started three years as an offensive lineman for the Boilermakers.

Steve began his professional career at the family business, Mitchum-Schaefer, now Schaefer Technologies, Inc. He went on to become the owner and Chief Executive Officer, a position he held for many years. He served as the president of the Indiana Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association.

Steve was always involved and active in the community. He was a member of the Indianapolis Athletic Club and served as the club president. He was a founding committee member of both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Shamrock Run. He was a member of the Indiana Horse Racing Commission, Marion County Metropolitan Development Commission, Indianapolis Motorcycle Drill Team, and the Citizens Speedway Committee. He was also a member of Highland Golf & Country Club, Hundred Club, the John Purdue Club, and the American Business Club. Steve was a longtime member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and served on its Parish Council. Always involved in his daughters’ sporting events, he coached various CYO teams and was the president of Westlane/Delaware Trails and involved in Allisonville Youth Baseball and Softball for many years.

The Schaefer Family name has been synonymous with Cathedral High School for generations. Steve had served on the Cathedral Board of Trustees since 1991. He served as the Chairman from 2011-2014. Under his leadership, the school achieved a successful Faith in the Future Capital Campaign. Steve was deservingly awarded the Bishop Chartrand Award in 2014.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife, Paula (Keckley), to whom he was united in marriage for 43 years, daughters, Jenny Cortner of Fishers, Jackie McKinney (Bob) of Fishers, Jody Freije (Ed) of Indianapolis, Jamie Mauceri (Mike) of Chicago, Jill Mattingly (Dan) of Fishers; siblings, Michael Schaefer of Carmel, Patrick Schaefer (Nancy) of Indianapolis, Rebecca Arnold (Truman) of Houston, Texas, Kevin Schaefer (Gail) of Carmel, Susan McClain (Kevin) of Carmel; grandchildren, Katelyn and Kyle Cortner; Madyson, Audrey, Camryn, and Reese McKinney; Morgan, Ryan, and Taylor Grace Freije; Annabel and Anthony Mauceri; Maya, Jack, Lexi Mattingly, and one expected granddaughter in May 2015.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Steve’s life Sunday, March 8, 2015, 2 to 6 p.m., in the Robert V. Welch Student Activity Center at Cathedral High School. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m., Monday, March 9, 2015, in St. Pius X Catholic Church. Entombment will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cathedral High School, the Schaefer Family Scholarship, 5225 East 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory, view Steve’s Life Story video, or to sign the online guest registry.