Ralph Emerson Shafer, 98, Iola, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Allen County Regional Hospital.
He was born July 9, 1918, in Allen County to Ralph Emerson and Lillie Jane (Hutchinson) Shafer. He attended Iola Rock Creek Rural School and graduated from Iola High School in 1936. He married Lurleen R. Cummins in Iola on Oct. 12, 1941. To this union were born six children. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a radio operator. He always made his home in Iola. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service and operated Shafer Radio & TV.
Ralph always enjoyed fishing, hunting and driving a tractor. He was a member of Community Baptist Church in Iola, a member and commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Iola and LaHarpe and a member of the American Legion in Iola. He never missed watching a Royals or Chiefs game, and was a proud supporter of President Donald J. Trump.
Survivors include his children, Donna Diebolt, Welda, Glenda Isaacson, Salt Lake City, Utah, JoAnne Michael and husband Rick, Iola, Catherine Hall and husband David, Iola, Rhonda Baker and husband Vance, St. George, and Charles Shafer, Iola; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild on the way; a sister, Georgia Searcy, Indiana; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ralph was preceded in death by his wife, Lurleen, in 1993, his parents, a grandson Bradley Esslinger, a brother, Harry Shafer, sister Lucille Tyler, sons-in-law Larry Diebolt and Preston Isaacson and long-time companion Gerry Tasche.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola, with visitation beginning an hour prior. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery in Iola. Contributions in his memory are suggested to the LaHarpe VFW or ACARF. Condolences for the family can be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.
