Wilmer Dean Shafer, 91, New Lisbon, passed away in the morning hours at Reid Health on Monday, December 26th, 2022. Dean was born on September 6th, 1931, in Henry County, Indiana, to Horace and Elizabeth (Barrett) Shafer. A lifelong Henry County resident, he graduated from Straughn High School with the class of 1949, and was a member of the Straughn High School basketball team that won the Henry County Championship that year. After high school, he served in the United States Marine Corps. from 1951-1953 as a Motor Pool Specialist with the rank of Sergeant during the Korean War. After serving his country, he worked at Eaton Corporation in Richmond, in skilled trades and management. He retired after 27 years. Dean was a member of New Lisbon Christian Church and attended Locust Grove Church of the Brethren. Dean was a perfectionist in all he did whether it was mowing his yard, carpentry work, making furniture or mechanics. Dean enjoyed buying and selling antiques and operated a booth at the Antique Mall in Centerville.
Survivors included his wife, Shirley Ann (Royer) Shafer. They were married at the New Lisbon Christian Church on November 9, 1963; two children, Karla Jean Hunt and Dee Anne Gideon; four grandchildren, Zachary (wife, Morgan) and Joshua Clements, Summer and Jacob Branham; four great-grandchildren; one sister, Denise Russell; several nieces and nephews.
Dean is preceded in death by his parents; six siblings, Merle, Wayne and Daniel Shafer, Naomi Baker, Frieda Holiday, and Marjorie Gauker.
Arrangements for Dean will be a visitation on Monday January 2nd, 2023, from 11 a.m. until time of funeral services at 2 p.m. at Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home, Dublin. Pastor Tim Webb will be officiating. Cremation will follow. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Hopewell Cemetery, north of Straughn. Online condolences can be made anytime at www.marshallanderleweinfuneralhome.com