Howard James Shafer

Howard James Shafer, 89, of 20775 Blooming Valley Rd., Meadville and formerly of RD#1, Cambridge Springs, died Thursday, March 21, 2002 at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born June 25, 1912 in Union Township, Crawford County, a son of the late Rush George and Elsie Caroline Brown Shafer.  He married I. Jean Seaman April 4, 1940 and she preceded him in death April 13, 1979.

He retired from Meadville Forging Co. as a machine operator in 1974 following 32 years of service.  He had also worked for Talon, the Lutz-Oliver Agency, and the Works Progress Administration, building roads and bridges.  He was a lifetime member of the United Steelworkers of America Local #1917 and cofounder of the Meadville Forging Company Federal Credit Union.  He found tremendous enjoyment telling stories of his past to his children and grandchildren and he enjoyed farming and repairing farm equipment.

Survivors include 3 daughters, Elsie Andrzejczak and her companion Kevin Drohn of Girard; Doris Sherred and her husband Red of Venango; and Margie Shafer and her companion Brian Gallagher of Palmdale, CA; 4 sons, Thomas Shafer and his wife Jan of Meadville; David P. Shafer and his wife Joyce of Cambridge Springs; John Shafer and his wife Connie of Venango; and David E. (Shorty) Shafer and his wife Beth of Meadville; 25 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Shafer; a daughter, Marianne Shafer Sheldon; a brother, Thomas George Shafer, a sister, Helen Caroline Shafer Miller; 2 grandsons, James Eugene Proper and Johnny Shafer; and 1 great-grandson.

Calling hours will be Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.

A funeral service will be Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Michael Dodson, Pastor of New Hope Community Church officiating.

Burial will be in Watson Run Cemetery, Meadville.

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.