Donald W. Shafer

Donald W. Shafer, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018 at his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 1:00 P.M. Friday, January 19 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery.  Friends may visit with the family from Noon until 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.  Memorials in Don’s name may be made to the Michigan Heart Association.  Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Don was born July 28, 1928 in Baroda, Michigan to Warren & Clara (Hoge) Shafer.   He helped his Father on the family farm in Baroda as he was growing up.  Don played basketball for and graduated as Valedictorian from Baroda High School, Class of 1946.  On February 12, 1949 he married the former Lorraine Selent in Baroda.  Don was employed for several years at Clark Equipment in Berrien Springs before gaining employment with Whirlpool Corporation from where he retired after forty-four years, as a Senior Research Technician.  Don enjoyed playing fast-pitch softball.  He played second base & pitcher for the Whirlpool & Bill’s Tap team, managed both teams for several years, helped the team make the State Finals 15 out of 16 years and win the State championship five years.  He also coached the Fairplain Little League & Connie Mack League for several years.  In his free time, Don enjoyed hunting & fishing & spending time with his family. Don is survived by his wife Lorraine; his children Dona Kay Shafer of South Bend, Randy (Jenny) Shafer of Traverse City, Lynette (Joe) Glowacki of St. Joseph; three grandchildren-Brandon Shafer, Brent Shafer, Heather (Colin) Zimmerman; two great-grandsons-Lucas & Jacob Zimmerman; his sister Elaine Fowler of St. Joseph; brother-in-law Dale Troxell  & sister-in-law Genevieve Shafer, both of Baroda; and numerous nieces & nephews.  He was preceded in death by an infant child in 1951, two brothers-Albert & James Shafer, two sisters-Marjorie Troxell & Frances Czirr, two brothers-in-law-Sig Czirr & Ken Fowler and a sister-in-law Muzz Shafer.