Former Bainbridge resident Inez Lucile (Deiner) Schaeffer, age 72, died Oct. 23 at her home near Belfair, under the care of Hospice.

She was born April 11, 1931 in Arlington, to Charles Harry Deiner II and Hannah Marie (Sjodin) Deiner, residents of Oso, Wash.

She lived for more than 30 years as caretaker at Fay Bainbridge State Park, the Country Club of Seattle and the American Legion Hall property. In 1998, she moved to a small cabin at Lake Christine outside of Belfair.

She was an active member of the American Legion Colin Hyde Post No. 172 Women’s Auxiliary.

She served as auxiliary president, many times organizing community services such as blood bank, gift packages to the Retsil veterans home, and Girls State. She was always a part of the work crew for American Legion bingo and had a passion for the game.

She was an artist at heart, spending many years creating holly wreaths and cedar garlands that decorated many local businesses and homes.

She was a founding member of Kitsap Clay Works for hobby ceramists in the early 1980s.

She continued to do ceramics through her illness, teaching Jack to do all the casting work. The two of them together were regular vendors at many local holiday bazaars and had become regular vendors at the Belfair farmers market during the summer season.

She enjoyed family gatherings, being with her grandchildren, camping, a family hunting camp in Twisp, playing bingo and trips to Reno with friends.

She is survived by her husband John “Jack” Rodger Schaeffer; children Donald Ivan Schaeffer of Maltby, Anna Marie Million of Tahuya, Joseph Ralph Schaeffer of Suquamish, Ingrid Lucile McDonald of Bremerton, Michelle Inez Solier of Bremerton, and John Charles Schaeffer of Suquamish; many grandchildren; and brothers Harry Deiner of California, Robert Deiner of California, Lester Deiner of Hawaii, and sister Iris Queen of East Wenatchee.

A memorial service and brunch will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 2 at the American Legion Colin Hyde Post No. 172 on Bucklin Hill Road.

Arrangements are by Kass Funeral Home.