John William Shafer 1930-2007
SHERMAN, SHAFER, HOCKEL, LAFONTAINE, BECKNELL, GOEDE
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 1/29/2008 at 15:03:56
John Shafer
John W. Shafer, 77, of Waukon died Sunday, December 16, 2007 at Lee Health Park Medical Center in Ft. Myers, FL. Funeral services were held Friday, December 21st at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Rev. Richard N. Eick officiating. Burial with graveside military rites was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
John William Shafer was born November 30, 1930 in Waukon, the son of William Frederick and Ella Clara (Sherman) Shafer. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ, where he remained a life-long member. John graduated from Waukon High School in 1947 and enrolled at the University of Iowa. His study was interrupted by a term in the US Air Force, where he served from 1951 until 1954, seeing most of his duty in Goose Bay Labrador, Canada and El Paso, TX. He returned to the University of Iowa following his discharge where he graduated from the College of Commerce, enrolled in law school, and graduated from the College of Law in 1958. While in college, he met Beverly Jean Hockel and the two were married February 15, 1958 at the Lutheran Church in Humboldt. He returned to Waukon and began practicing law with his father. His career included serving as Allamakee County Attorney from 1961 until 1974, spending many years in partnership with Lynn Morrow, and more recently having his son Bill join him in the firm. John retired from full time practice in 1995. Since retirement he and Bev have very much enjoyed spending winters at Gulf View Colony in Ft. Myers Beach, FL.
John was an active member at Zion UCC in Waukon where he served various times on the council and other committees. While in Florida he enjoyed attending St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Ft. Myers Beach. He was a member of the Iowa and local Bar Associations, American Legion, VFW, served a term on the Allamakee County Board of Health and was active in the Republican Party.
John's special interests included yearly fishing trips to Canada and spending time on his family's century farm. He also enjoyed music, golf, and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye football fan. Most important to John was his family. Memories of camping trips across the country when his children were young were particularly dear to him. Most recently this tradition continued with a family get-together each summer which included spouses and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Beverly of Waukon; and his three children, Carla (Mark) Lafontaine of Willimantic, CT and their children Emilie, Alex and David, Jennifer (Ken) Becknell of Rock Hill, SC and their children Ryan and Kelsey, and William (Beth) Shafer of Waukon and their daughter Bailey. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Lorna Mae Goede.
Honorary casketbearers are Ron Brandt, Bill Withers, John Prestemon, Jim Klenske, John Leschensky, Ed Lauerman, Lynn Morrow and Jerry Siegrist. Casketbearers are Mark Lafontaine, Ken Becknell, Beth Shafer, Pat Bowden and John, Scott, Tim, Jim and Todd Goede.
Waukon Standard, December 27, 2007
Submitter has no further information.
Allamakee Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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