Ronald Edward Shafer, 85, residing in Milan, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 21, 2020, at Firelands Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.Ron was born at home on his grandfather Shafer’s Farm in Hardin County. He was born to Thurman “Pete” and Icamae “Dixie” (Bennett) Shafer, on Oct.18, 1935.
He is survived by his childhood sweetheart, Martha Jean (Hampton) Shafer, whom he married on April 24, 1955, by Rev. Everett Mosslander in DeGraff Methodist Church. He is also survived by his children, Jeffrey (Mary) Shafer, Diana Franklin, and Alan Shafer; grandchildren, Lydia, Marc, Lesilee (Michael DuFresne), Ashley (Kevin Lake), Stephanie, Andrew, Nicholas, and Jeremy; great-grandchildren, Cameron, Fiona, Paislee, Elijah, Adelade, Bradye, Haven, Finnegan, Emmerson and Asher; sisters-in-law, Joyce Hampton and Billie-Sue Marker; niece and nephew Melisa Corso and Ryan Marker; grandnephew, Skyler Corso as well as many more cousins nieces, nephews and cherished friends and neighbors.
General Motors employed Ron for 36 years. He graduated from DeGraff High School when he was 17. He graduated from Tri State College at 19. He took courses at General Motors Institute, MIT, Newark College, Indiana University, North Western and Crosby Quality College.
He was a member of North-Warren Masonic Lodge, Erie Lodge Milan, Royal Arch Masons and Norwalk Commandery, Queen Esther Chapter #15 OES as well as the Edison Memorial United Methodist Church in Milan, Ohio.
He loved to fish and hunt, gardening, genealogy with 6565 individuals in his tree. He loved to travel having gone to all 50 states; six cruises including, Greece, Turkey, and Egypt (cruised down the Nile) and camping was one of his favorites.
He is preceded in death by his father, Thurman “Pete” Shafer; stepmother, Della (Linet) whom raised him; his mother, Icamae “Dixie” (Bennett) Shafer; brother, Gary Shafer; sister-in-law, Sharyl Shafer; son-in-law, Larry Franklin and his brother-in-law, Jerry Marker.
A family life celebration and interment will be in the Scott Cemetery, Huron, at a later date. Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Those wishing to contribute to Ron’s memory may do so to one’s favorite charity.
Condolences may be shared online at www.grofffuneralhomes.com