Benjamin ‘Ben’ Robert ShaferBenjamin "Ben" Robert Shafer, formerly of Warsaw, passed away surrounded by family at his residence on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Mancelona, Mich., at the age of 77.
Ben was born on June 20, 1944, in Warsaw, to Helen Berniece Schue Shafer and Robert Eugene Shafer. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1962. Ben married Linda Lyons on Jan. 11, 1964, and together they shared 45 years of marriage and raised three daughters, a son and became grandparents before she passed away on March 20, 2009. Ben was blessed to have found someone to share his life again, and married Karla Jeanne Blake on Aug. 19, 2011.
Ben was a lifetime reliable hardworking man who loved his family. He spent his days working at Zimmer Inc. of Warsaw so that he could provide for his family. After 39 years, he retired but always kept busy doing one thing or another. Ben loved his Lord and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He moved to Michigan in 2011 and enjoyed living there during his final years. Ben was a kind man that loved the simple things in life like enjoying a good meal, spending time with family and he did it all with a smile on his face. He will forever be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to many who will be dearly missed.
He leaves behind his wife, Karla J. Shafer, Mancelona, Mich.; three sons: Greg (Claudia) Shafer, Claypool; Herman Howard, Buckley, Mich.; Joshua Howard, Mancelona, Mich.; and three daughters: Wonnie Shafer, Frostproof, Fla.; Stefanie (Andrew) Spangle, Warsaw; Bobby Jo Howard, Mancelona, Mich. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and his sister, Anne Shafer, Warsaw. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Linda Shafer; daughter, Bonnie Lyons Misener. on Feb. 23, 2012; two granddaughters: Lyndsay Allison (Poe) Sanchez, who passed away on Sept. 29, 2011; and Katie Hoffert on Nov. 1, 2014.
Ben’s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 27 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Elder Jeff Walters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Memorial donations may be directed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1128 N. Cedar St., Kalkaska, MI 49646.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
