Martin Andrew "Andy" Schaffner, 73, Spearfish and formerly of Sturgis, died Friday, February 27, 2015, at Garden Hills Assisted Living in Spearfish.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis. Inurnment will follow at the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Sturgis.

Andy was born December 9, 1941, at Sturgis to Joseph Martin and Dorothy Henrietta (Bestgen) Schaffner.

Andy persevered. It took him three additional years and he graduated High School in Sturgis. His early jobs included working for Regan's Gas Station and then working at Ft. Meade. He also worked at dairy farms in the area. Andy did numerous odd jobs around town and was always willing to help out. He knew the value of money.

He was well known around Sturgis because he walked everywhere and visited with everyone. In his younger days, he was known as "Pepsi" because at that time it was his favorite drink.

Church was a MAJOR part of Andy's life. As a young boy, he walked three miles to church every Sunday and Holy days. He never missed and always put a dollar in his envelopes.

Andy had a tenacity for things that were important to him, such as high school. He never gave up. He was very proud of his class ring and diploma he received from Sturgis Brown High School. Andy was proud of his prized FFA Jacket which was another one of his accomplishments. He wore the jacket and his class ring to his last day.

Andy worked hard for his money and he didn't squander it. He was tight but always willing to help and do errands for other people.

Survivors include his brother, Robert Lee (Linda) Schaffner; two sisters, Connie (Larry) Plaggemeyer, and Mary Jo (Dan) Egger; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, and aunts.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Katherine Schaffner.