Clayton Scheaffer

Clayton John Scheaffer died on June 5th, 2025 at the age of 81. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in November 2020 and battled it for nearly five years.

He was born on November 25, 1943 in Jamestown, North Dakota, the son of John and Rosalia (Loebs) Scheaffer. He grew up and worked on the family farm. He also worked for Harvey Holzwarth where he mowed hundreds of acres of hay with a 1936 “A” John Deere.

He graduated from Buchanan High School as valedictorian of his class in 1962. He went on to graduate from Jamestown College in 1966. He married Teresa Winkelman at Grace Evangelical United Brethren Church in Marion, ND on July 17, 1966.

Clayton made the most important decision of his life in October 1956 when he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He received his ministerial license on May 23, 1964, and began his ministerial career on October 1, 1964, at the Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church in Tuttle, ND. He also served as the assistant pastor at Medina, Tappen, and Steele and taught school in Tappen from 1966 to 1967.

In the fall of 1967, he and Teresa moved to Portland, OR where he enrolled at Western Evangelical Seminary. In June 1968 they moved back to North Dakota where he became the founding pastor of Faith Evangelical Church in Crystal Springs. He also was a teacher in Cleveland from 1968 to 1971. Upon completing five years of ministry, they moved to Fallon, MT for him to be the pastor of the Fallon Evangelical Church.

In June 1978, they moved to their farm near Buchanan, ND, where they raised crops and livestock (Galloway cattle). He continued to preach, filling in for local congregations in Jamestown, Crystal Springs, Litchville, North Marion, and Bismarck among others. Coming full circle, he concluded his ministerial career serving at the Tuttle Community Church where he began his ministry.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rosalia Scheaffer, and an infant daughter. He is survived by his wife, Teresa; his brother, Clifton (Teri) Scheaffer; and his two sons, Abraham (Amy) Scheaffer and children Elliot, Gracia, Elisa, Lewis, Gideon, and Ruth of Sheldon, IA; and Noel (Jennifer) Scheaffer and children Graham, Josiah, and Micah of Sioux Falls, SD.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Clayton to a favorite ministry: Steer, Inc. PO Box 1236, Bismarck, ND 58502.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, June 15, 2025 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Monday, June 16, 2025 at Faith Evangelical Church, Crystal Springs, ND. Interment will be in Highland Home Cemetery at 2:00 PM on Monday.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.