Obituary: Delmar Clem Shafer

Delmar Clem Shafer of Windsor, IL died at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday February 9, 2013 in Shelbyville, IL in Shelbyville, Manor.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Monday, February 11, 2013 in Windsor Christian Church,Windsor, IL with Rev. Richard Eident officiating. Visitation will be from 10:30-12 noon on Monday in the church. Burial will be in Windsor Cemetery, Windsor, IL with military rites by the Windsor American LegionPost #725. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Windsor Christian Church or Windsor American Legion Post #725.

Delmar was born on September 27, 1921 in Gays, IL, the son of Clem and Anna Laura Smith Shafer. He graduated from Windsor High School in the class of 1940. Delmar enjoyed playing basketball while in High School. His senior year the team made it to the sweet 16 in a one class system. Since he lived in Gays, Delmar had to walk or hitchhike to school every day. His coach, Russell Curry, was generous and brought him home after basketball practice most days. After graduation, Delmar worked in St. Louis until drafted by the U.S. Army in 1942.

On August 29th 1942, Delmar married Dorothy Juhnke Shafer. He served his country in the Pacific Theater as a radio operator first in New Guinea in the invasion of Luzon in the battle for the Philippine Island and finally in the occupation of Japan. Delmar received two bronze battle stars, the Philippine liberation ribbon and numerous other ribbons and battle stars for his service.

Throughout his life, Delmar enjoyed the outdoors; hunting and fishing were some of his favorite activities. Delmar worked for Coles Moultrie Electric Cooperative for 41 years. He began his career as a lineman and then became the Outdoor Operating Superintendent. Delmar was also a carpenter. He helped build three homes for his family and assisted family and friends with lots of different projects.

Delmar was active in the Windsor Kiwanis club for many years, helping with the Windsor Picnic andvarious other activities in the Windsor community. He served on the Windsor School Board for many years.

Delmar loved the Lord and was very active in the Windsor Christian Church. He served first as a deacon and then as an Elder in the church. He was honored by the congregation in 2001 with the Honored Servant Award.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two children, Gary Shafer and wife Susan of Naperville, IL and Karen Schwerman and husband Dave of Shelbyville, IL; sister, Camilla Wiley and husband John of Gays, IL;grandchildren, Jim Schwerman and wife Valerie of Shelbyville, IL, Krista Ewerks and husband Keith of Philo,IL, Amy MacLean and husband Matthew of Birmingham, MI and Amanda Berthoud and husband Michael of Naperville, IL; and great grandchildren, Zechariah and Megan Schwerman, Kalynne, Kourtney and Karson Ewerks, Matthew, Thomas and Patrick MacLean and Peter, Daniel and Katherine Berthoud.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Harold “Woody”, Lawrence and Donald “Dude”Shafer; and sister, June Greer.

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