Bernard A. ''Ben'' Shafer

SHAFER, Bernard A. ?Ben? Of Portage Passed away Saturday, January 20, 2007. Bernard was born February 23, 1918, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the son of Vern and Marie DeWlispelere Shafer. During WW II he served in the U.S. Army and throughout his life was employed as a concrete finisher in the construction field. Residing the past year in Portage, he was a member of the St. Michael Lutheran Church. In 1942 he married the former Margie Burns who preceded him in death in 1985. He was also preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Charles, Leo, Richard, Vern, Jr. and Calvin Shafer; four sisters, Elsie Curtis, Mildred Whitehead, Verna Luedecking and Joan Carr. Surviving are his sister, Marian Batey of Galesburg and many nieces and nephews. A service celebrating Bernard?s life will be held 1:00 Saturday January 27 at the St. Michael Lutheran Church 7211 Oakland Drive, Portage, MI 49024. A private burial will take place in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorials in Bernard?s memory may be directed to the St. Michael Lutheran Church.