George E. SHAFER

SHAFER, STAHL, BEYMER, HUGHES, DINKEL, BAKER, WALL, ENGLAND

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/6/2009 at 18:47:49

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1928

OBITUARY - GEORGE E. SHAFER.

George E. SHAFER, son of James W. and Lucinda SHAFER, was born in Ohio December 8, 1849, and died July 13, 1933, at the Community hospital in Creston, Iowa, after an illness of but a few days' duration, in the eighty-fourth year of his life.

In early childhood he came with his parents to Ringgold county, Iowa, which has been his home for more than three-quarters of a century.

He was married August 16, 1869, to Melissa STAHL, oldest daughter of Michael and Mary STAHL, pioneer residents of Ringgold county. To them were born twelve children, of whom six daughters and one son are still living: Estella BEYMER of Mount Ayr, Inez HUGHES of Hillsboro, Ore., Nora DINKEL of Diagonal, Grace BAKER of Carrington, N.D., Chester A. SHAFER of Fargo, N.D., Sadie WALL of Clearfield, and Mabel WALL of Woodward.

Mrs. SHAFER died October 11, 1926. Mr. SHAFER was married July 8, 1928, to Mrs. Sarah ENGLAND of Tingley, who survives him. He is also survived by two brothers, Samuel L. SHAFER of Omaha, Neb., and William J. SHAFER of Rocky Ford, Colo. Besides his seven living children, he also leaves 28 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

For fifty years Mr. SHAFER lived on his farm about three miles southwest of Diagona, later moving into Diagonal, where he lived until his second marriage five years ago, when he moved to Tingley, where he has since resided.

In early life Mr. SHAFER became a member of the Methodist church at Bethel, which later became the Methodist church at Goshen and still later at Diagonal when Goshen was vacated. Since his removel (sic) to Tingley, his membership has been in the church there. He has all his life been a man of exemplary habits and character, a kind husband and father, an accommodating and friendly neighbor, an a good citizen.

I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
His mercy underlies.
I known not where his islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
I only know I cannot drift
Beyond His love and care.

Funeral services were held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Methodist church in Diagonal, conducted by Rev. A. L. JORDON, and burial was in Bethel cemetery [near Diagonal].

NOTE: James W. SHAFER, father of George E., died at the age of 84 years, 3 months and 24 days on November 11, 1905. George's mother Lucinda died on August 8, 1885. They were interred at Bethel Cemetery near Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Melissa E. (STAHL), first wife of George E. SHAFER, was born in 1855, Indiana, and died October 11, 1926 with interment at Bethel Cemetery.

Of Melissa E. (STAHL) and George E. SHAFER's children: Charles W. SHAFER died in 187_ and was interred at Bethel Cemetery; Ida SHAFER died on March 18, 1875 and was interred at Bethel Cemetery; Nora L. (SHAFER) DINKEL was born in 1879 and died in 1974 with interment beside her husband, Harry A. (1872-1930) at Bethel Cemetery; Sadie (SHAFER) WALL was born in 1880 and died in 1982 with interment at Bethel Cemetery beside her husband Orville (1891-1973);and, Alonzo SHAFER died in 1883 and was interred at Bethel Cemetery.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008