Kenneth W. Schaaf, 87, of Yorkville, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the St. Luke's Home surrounded by his loving family. Kenneth was born in Utica on August 10, 1927, a son of the late Ernest and Helen (Brennan) Schaaf and was a graduate of Whitesboro High School. In Utica on September 10, 1949, Kenneth married Betty J. Doty, a blessed union of 65 years until her passing a month ago on October 21. Ken worked 46 years at the Utica Observer Dispatch starting as a copy boy then later a photographer and then became Sr. Court Reporter. He covered numerous high profile murder trials in the area. He had a great working relationship with local police departments and was very respected. He also wrote many articles for the Waterville Times and did the gardening column for the O.D. for many years. Ken also wrote many human interest stories that had to do with the family farm dating back to his own family farm on Paris Hill. He retired in 1991. Ken was a parishioner of St. Paul's Church, Whitesboro also serving as an usher and altar server. He was a member of the Yorkville Fire Department for over 50 years serving as past president and attaining the rank of Captain. He was proud to be a founding member of the Oneida County Fire Police. Ken was an avid member of many community organizations too numerous to mention and was the recipient of many community awards. He was an avid Mets, Giants and Syracuse fan. Kenneth is survived by his three children, Gail Geer and husband Dennis, Whitesboro, Lauri Schaaf and Steve Toepp, Utica and Michael Schaaf and wife Kimberly, Town of Marshall, six grandchildren, Danielle Martell and husband Dominick, Utica, Justin D. Geer, NYC, Chelsea Rose and husband Matt, New Hartford, Logan Schaaf, NJ, Ashley VanHatten, Yorkville, and Ian Schaaf, Clinton, two great grandsons, Dominick and Nathan, two brothers and sisters-in law, Douglas and Pauline Schaaf, Whitesboro and Donald and Marilyn Schaaf, New Hartford, in-laws, Carol Cahill, Utica and Donald Parda, Deansboro, lifelong friend Stash Babiarz, and many nieces and nephews. Kenneth was predeceased by a sister, Lois Parda and in-laws, Anthony and Mary Doty, George and Anne Yaehrling, Donald Doty and Jack Cahill. A special thank you for the love and care given to Kenneth by the Barton West staff of the St. Luke's Home and a very special thanks to Kenneth's niece, Linda Metzler, for all her love and compassion. Mr. Schaaf's funeral will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 10:45 from the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica and at 11:30 from St. Paul's Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will take place in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Whitesboro. Calling hours at the funeral home are Tuesday from 4 - 7 and Wednesday from 9:45 - 10:45. Those so wishing may make donations to the Yorkville Fire Department or the Shriner's Hospital in Kenneth's memory.