George Shafer, Jr.

George Shafer Jr., 91, of Belleville, IL, born August 28, 1927, in Bartholomew County, IN, died Saturday, February 2, 2019, at Randolph County Care Center, Sparta, IL.

Mr. Shafer was a representative for the Aid Association for Lutherans, now Thrivent Financial. He was one of the initial inductees into their hall of fame and was a member of the Life Underwriters Association. George was an active member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Belleville. He volunteered at St. Mark’s Food Pantry and also with the Financial Crisis program at the church. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

George loved to play games of all kinds, board games, card games, yard games, and everyone had to be involved in the games when he was around.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Anita, nee Hoeferkamp, Shafer, whom he married December 4, 1949, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Jonesville, IN; his parents, George Sr. and Ruth, nee Lewellyn, Shafer; two brothers, Robert and Clarence Shafer; and a sister, Bernice Goodman.

Surviving are three children, Mary (John) Reith of Steeleville, IL,
David (Karen) Shafer of St. Louis, MO,
and Kathleen Casey (Robert Quirin) of Belleville, IL;
four grandchildren, John (Jill) Reith,
James (Amy) Reith,
Ryan (Shannon) Casey,
and Jill (Bryan) Moormann;
nine great-grandchildren, Alex and Ian Reith,
Chloe and Willa Reith,
Jamison, Patrick, and Braeden Casey,
and Kennedy and Connor Moormann;
and nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church or to Bread for the World – Lutheran World Relief. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 7, 2019, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 8, 2019, at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Brian Robison officiating.

Burial with military honors will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.