Phillip Schaff

Visitation: Thursday, June 8, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Funeral Service: Friday, June 9, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City

Interment: Eagles Section of the Custer County Cemetery

Phillip Edward Schaff, age 69, of Miles City, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at Fort Harrison VA Hospital in Fort Harrison, MT.

Phil was born on July 7, 1936 in Billings, MT to Victor and Rosemary Schaff. He attended the Catholic school system in Billings, graduating in 1954. After high school, Phil went to Eastern Montana College for a year. After deciding that college was not really for him, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Phil became an aero medical technician and was stationed in Moses Lake, WA. After his honorable discharge in 1961, Phil returned to Billings where he began working for Burrough's Corporation. During his travels to repair office machines, he became smitten by the likes of Betty (Diane) Hanson. The two were married on February 9, 1963. Phil and Diane had two children, Tanna and Scott. The family settled in Miles City where Phil worked for several years for First National Bank. After a stint in mobile home sales, Phil started his own business, Tri-Way Mobile Homes. This eventually led to a career as a self-employed general contractor. Phil loved building things with his own two hands. He also enjoyed camping, fishing and drinking beer with his buddies.

Phil continued his work as a contractor until he was disabled by a stroke in 1999. After the stroke, Phil remained active as a volunteer for RSVP. He shared his time with the residents of the Holy Rosary and VA nursing homes. Additionally, he delivered papers to the hospital and rehab patients at Holy Rosary Hospital. When Phil found out that the hospital had cut the funding for the Friday papers at the hospital, he mounted a one-man recruiting drive for monthly sponsors to pay for the papers. He was tireless in these efforts for five years, until his death.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Foundation for continuation of Friday paper deliveries.

Phil is survived by his wife, Diane of Miles City; his daughter, Tanna and her fiancee, JohnBunderson of Billings, MT; his son, Scott and his wife, Tonja of Great Falls, MT; one granddaughter, Shelby (daughter of Scott & Tonja); his brother, Leo and his wife, Sharon of Billings, MT; his sister, Loretta Glatt and her husband Arnold of Billings, MT; and 12 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosemary and Victor Schaff, his brother, Kap and his wife, Bette.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2006 at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 9, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eagles Section of the Custer County Cemetery in Miles City with full military honors provided by VFW Post #1579. Condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com