Donald Schaeffer, 63

Donald Gene Schaeffer aka “Smiley” passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, after a fantastic day of fishing with friends. 

Don was born May 25, 1949 in the Fargo, N.D.,- Moorehead, Minn., area to Wilbur and Helen Schaeffer. 

Don graduated from Columbia Falls High School. He was a member of the first wrestling team for the school.

After graduating high school, he remained a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley where he was known as a man of many trades. You may have known him as a coworker at Plum Creek, a horse trainer, the man who sat behind the button at the Texas Hold’em tournaments, a farmer, water witching, salesman, hunting and fishing guide or perch assassin, but most of you knew him as a professional fisherman.

Don’s passions in life were storytelling, fishing, negotiating a great deal, family, his close friends and his marriage to Jackie Sindt. 

Don lived by the simple fisherman’s prayer, “Fishy, Fishy in the brook, come and bite my gol’ darn hook.” 

“Don you will be truly missed, we love you. Continue to keep your tackle box full, fishing pole ready, and your boat full of gas, because you don’t know who you will touch next.” 

Services for Don will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, in Coram at the Canyon Community Church, followed by a celebration of his life.

In lieu of flowers, Don would want people to do something with family, go fishing with a friend, and give someone a smile and a kind word.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Columbia Mortuary.

You are invited to go to www.columbiamortuary.com to offer condolences and view Don’s tribute wall.