Esther "Tillie" Matilda Schafers

Esther Matilda Schafers “Tillie”

Tillie’s life began on September 22, 1931 in Arkansas City, Kansas. She was the daughter of Cruz and Celestine Esparza. She was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” Schafers on September 12, 1953. Tillie was the CFO of Tony’s plumbing, worked at St. Luke Hospital as a CNA and enjoyed designing flower arrangements at Conyers Flowers.

Her greatest joy was her loving family including her two sons Dennis (Pat) Schafers of Topeka and Leonard (Donna) Schafers of Newton; grandchildren Jason (Becky) Schafers of Marion, Travis (Kelley) Schafers of Marion, Shawn (Elizabeth) Schafers of Newton, Joseph Gootee-Schafers, Mary Gootee-Schafers, John Gootee-Schafers, and Ben Gootee-Schafers all of Topeka; great-grandchildren Bridgette (Ryan) , Amanda (Nick) , Jerid, David, Stevan, Haiti, Jay Dee (Dakota), Emily (Presley), Trevor, Sarah, Santiago, Saurora, Damyon, Dominic and Taegan; great-great grandchildren Owen, Ellis, Isla, Addy, Aaliyah, Ashlynn, and Beckett.

Grandma Tillie was the true anchor of our family, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, strength, and unconditional love. She possessed a rare ability to make anyone feel comfortable at home the moment they walked through her door. Her home was a sanctuary filled with laughter, comfort, and unforgettable cooking. Grandma Tillie’s spirit lives on in the lessons she taught us and the love she freely shared. Though she is dearly missed, her memory remains a guiding light and a constant comfort to everyone who knew her.

Tillie passed away on Friday August 14th, 2026, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Tony, daughter-in-law Pat, great-grandson Jerid and siblings Doris, Edward, Bernita, Barnabas, John.

Tillie’s family will gather with friends and family on Friday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Yazel-Megli-Zeiner Funeral Home in Marion with a Rosary Prayer to be recited following at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Family Parish, Marion. A Mass of Christian Burial for Tillie will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Marion celebrated by Father Lies and Father Blasi. Tillie will be laid to rest in Marion Cemetery. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to Holy Family Parish.

Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Tillie at yazelmeglifh.com