Charles Bapa Leroy Shafer

Charles Leroy "Bapa" Shafer, age 90, of Atwater, went home to heaven to join the Lord, on Saturday, November 6, 2010. He was surrounded by family and his special furry friend Cassie. Bapa is now reunited with the love of his life, Eva "Mimi" (McGarry) Shafer; his son William I. Shafer; parents Isaac and Leona Shafer, and loved ones passed before him, just 15 days before his 91st birthday.

He was born November 21, 1919, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After leaving home at the age of 12, when his father died; Charlie worked various jobs in landscaping and as a farm hand. On one particular farm he met Eva, whom he told "I will marry you someday", and that he did, after convincing her that they were meant to be together. They shared 59 years of marriage. He joined the Navy, had two children; William and Delora. The family moved from Michigan to Ohio, where Charlie worked at Motor Cargo, Parkway Machine and finally Goodyear as a machinist. Upon retiring, he became a parts-runner and valuable employee of D&M Contracting where he received a Ford pick-up truck, which he treasured.

Mr. Shafer had a strong faith in God, and was a dedicated member of the Atwater Congregational Church and Suffield United Church of Christ. He donated to many, many organizations and people who needed help over the years.

However, family was always first in Charlie’s life. Bapa leaves behind his precious, angel on Earth, daughter Delora "Dee" (Shafer) Miller, son-in-law, W. Dale Miller, seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren: Lori (Miller) Gregory, George; Michael. W. David (Denise Murdock) Miller, Dale, Dakoda, Drake and special girl Delaney. Charles Shafer. W. Todd Shafer. Debra (Miller) Adams, Bob; Jena and Sara. Christina (Miller) Tishma; Nicholas and Mandi. James (Kim Collins) Miller; Cody, Andy, and special friend Bryce. He was preceded in death by his great-grandson Matthew Collins.

The family would like to thank In-House Hospice, especially; Sonni, Shannon, Therese, Pam, Janet, Lisa and Dan, fondly known as "Charlie's Angels" for their love and support. We could not have done this without you. Thank-you for allowing us to be a daughter and granddaughter while caring for him at home.

Charlie left behind a lifetime of lives he has touched. He was a kind and gentle man who left his legacy in the family he made with Eva. We are grateful that we knew him; that God made us his family, and because of him we will carry on spreading the love without question, forgiveness, compassion, and caring for humans that both he and Eva lived their lives doing by example.

We feel so blessed as his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know that while Bapa and Mimi were alive, there was not one second that we were not loved.

Friends will be received Wednesday, November 10, 2010, from 11:00 AM until the 1:00 PM funeral service at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna. Interment will follow with military honors at Atwater Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made as Charlie requested to the Atwater-Randolph-Suffield Food Shelf, 2643 Waterloo Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260.

(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)