Rayneta Schafer

Rayneta Schafer, (many knew her as “Ray” or “Mimi”), 86 years old, of Richland, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at her home on March 28, 2025, surrounded by loving family. Rayneta was born in Blackshear, Georgia on July 28, 1938, to Charles and Cleo Schafer. She moved to Buena Vista Township in 1979 and resided there until her death. Ray worked in the community first as a technician at Richland Glass during the 1980’s and later worked at Scarpine’s Deli and Levari’s Farm Market. She was a long-time manager at Richland General Store and loved helping the folks in the local community find what they needed whether it be hardware, paint or beer and wine-making supplies. After her retirement, she spent her days cooking, gardening and reading. There was always something delicious baking in the oven and flowers popping up year-round. Ray never stopped learning. She was an avid reader, often surrounded by gardening books or murder mysteries. She was a regular at the Atlantic County Library and when she could no longer drive, her kitchen table housed towers of books from the library’s mail order system. Everyone that knew her knew how much she loved her garden. She tirelessly nurtured hundreds of tiny seeds each spring which blossomed into an Eden later in the summer months. Ray is survived by her daughters Tanya Chinnici and Dorothy Manera; her sons, Charles Allen Gilch and John Wehrwein, grandchildren- Becky Heitz, Garry Heitz, Mark Gilch, Eric Gilch, Johnny Manera and Casey Manera; Great Grandchildren: Alyssa Graham, McKayla Heitz, Taylor Ale, Truely Gilch, Kensley Parker and Gauge Gilch; Great- great grandchildren: Adalyn Bappert, Gabrielle Bappert, and a host of additional family and friends. Rayneta was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Cleo Schafer. The visitation and memorial service will be held from 4-6pm on April 8, 2025, at the Sray- Webster Funeral Home, located on 62 Landis Ave. Bridgeton, NJ 08302. In lieu of floral arrangements, the family would appreciate your favorite seeds, house plant propagations, or live native flowers or plants to be incorporated into Ray’s expansive garden as a memorial that will live on for years to come. These may be sent to the funeral home or 737 Main Avenue, Vineland, NJ, 08360. The family of Rayneta Schafer wants to thank Ennoble Care Hospice for their kindness, compassion and support during the past few months as well as family and friends who provided love and support.

Rayneta Schafer

July 28, 1938 - March 28, 2025