MISSOULA — James E "Jim" Schaff died on Sept. 30, 2018, at age 85, of natural causes with his family at his side. He was born Dec. 6, 1932, in Mandan, North Dakota, to Ludmilla Loren and Jerome Schaff. He graduated from high school in Miles City, then attended Custer County Junior College where he played basketball and earned a degree in electronics. After college, he served in the Navy during the Korean War. Upon completion of his military service, he moved to Missoula where he met and married Marilyn Schriver and had three children. He pursued a career in plumbing, eventually establishing his own plumbing contracting company, Ace Plumbing & Heating. Later he would help his son, Bill, open a new business, Garden City Plumbing & Heating.

He lost his wife, Marilyn, to cancer in 1985. After a time he met Marilyn "Mike" Cregg, with whom he enjoyed his retirement years, spending winters in their home in Green Valley, Arizona, and summers in their beloved Montana. Jim was an avid fisherman, hunter, and was a fan of yard sales and jigsaw puzzles. He was known for his tendency to spontaneously break into song and had a large repertoire of popular jokes. His great love for people and ability to find joy in every situation will be sorely missed by all.