Hugh Schaefer

Hugh S. Schaefer, 78, passed away at 10:56 am on February 10, 2022, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Hugh was born on May 25, 1943, in Sullivan, IN and was the son of Arthur and Pansy D. (Russell) Schaefer. Hugh married the former Glenda Shoultz in 1982. Hugh graduated from Freelandville High School in Knox County. He was named the 1987 Freelandville High School "Distinguished Alumnus of the Year." A 1966 graduate of Oakland City University, he served as both President and Vice President of OCU Alumni Association. He worked closely with Judy Whitten and Susan Sullivan in helping them locate and stay in contact with other OCU graduates; he also served on OCU's Athletic Hall of Fame selection committees. He worked to create OCU Alumni Awards and nominated candidates for alumni awards and other honors. Hugh received the OCU "Alumnus of the Year Award" in 1988 and served on OCU telethon fundraising committees. Until his debilitating stroke in 2017 he attended South Knox girls' and boys' sporting events and OCU men's and women's basketball games and has worked with the athletic department to make them aware of possible players they may wish to recruit to OCU. He also worked with OCU Admissions Office to make them aware of students interested in attending OCU. After graduation from OCU Hugh earned a Master of Science degree from Indiana State University. He spent 39 and a half years in public schools of Indiana serving as a teacher, social studies department chairperson, varsity and junior varsity basketball coach, Dean of Students, and Director of Transportation. Hugh worked his entire career in the same school corporation, starting at Monroe City High School which consolidated into South Knox High School where he retired in 2005. He is proud to have coached on the basketball staffs of three OCU graduates. Hugh has a scholarship named in his honor for athletes at South Knox High School and on five occasions was named "Who's Who Among America's Teachers." He was an associate board member for the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and served ten years as Treasurer for the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association. Hugh was a recipient of the "Distinguished Service Award" from the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association and the "Virgil Sweet" from the Indiana Basketball Association. He was also inducted into the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association "Hall of Excellence." He was a noted Indiana high school basketball historian and has written numerous published articles on the sport. Hugh also was the recipient of the 2018 Dr. N. Phillip Shelton Humanitarian Award and was inducted into the 2017 Greater Evansville Basketball Hall of Fame as a basketball historian. Survivors include his wife Glenda Schaefer of Vincennes, his son Chad Schaefer of Vincennes, Mother-in-Law Doris Shoultz-Creek of Bloomington, and nephews Steve (Beth) Magruder of Evansville, Tim (Karen) Magruder of Vincennes; and a grandson Teighan Johnson. Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marilyn (Schaefer) Magruder and nephew David Magruder. Friends may visit with Hugh's family from 4-8 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, IN 47591. Hugh's funeral service will take place at 11am on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home with a second visitation being held from 10am until service time. Hugh will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery. Masks are encouraged due to Covid. In lieu of flowers, the Schaefer family requests memorial contributions be made to the Indiana Organ Procurement Organization, or the Hugh Schaefer Basketball Scholarship Fund (Friends of South Knox Basketball, Inc.), or the South Knox Foundation. Online memories may be shared with Hugh's family and friends at www.goodwinsievers.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Hugh.