John Samuel Shafer

CASA GRANDE — John Samuel Shafer, 99, died on Dec. 30, 2021.

Mr. Shafer was born on May 27, 1922, in Anniston, Alabama, and was a son of Aubrey H. and Clara M. Shafer. He was raised in Monrovia, California, and a longtime resident of Pico Rivera, California. He served in the Army and was a scout in the Philippines during World War II. He was wounded and received two Purple Heart Medals. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He married Lois June Dimeling in 1939 and she died in 1970. He married Lucille M. Donaldson in 1971 and she died in 2008.

He joined his father and brothers in the family iron foundry business, Shafer & Sons Foundry Inc. He then was active in the aggregate materials business. He always was a caretaker of his family. He closed his business in 2000 to give full-time care to Lucille. He loved to fly his Piper Comanche, taking it on multiple trips ranging from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska to Cat Island in Bahamas. He spent more than 50 years in dedicated service to Rivera Baptist Church as worship leader, treasurer, facilities manager and board member.

Patriarch of his large family, he is survived by a sister, Frances Scott; two sons and a daughter, John Samuel Shafer Jr., Sharon L. Martinez and Merlin C. Donaldson; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, at J. Warren Funeral Services, Mountain View Chapel.