Jack Alvin Shafer
Born: November 26, 1944
Died: November 12, 2010
Jack Alvin Shafer was born November 26, 1944 in Guthrie to Carl Calvin and Anna Marie (Schmitt) Shafer. He attended school in Mulhall and graduated a “Pirate” in 1963 from Mulhall High School. He joined the United States Air Force in October 1963. After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, he completed extended military training in aircraft electronic navigation equipment at the Keesler Technical Training Center at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. After extensive training he was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL with the 4756 A&E Maintenance Squadron as an Airman Second Class where he worked on the communication and navigation flight line. Due to his mother’s health he received a hardship discharge from active duty in August of 1965 and was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve in October 1969.
In July of 1967 he married Ceilia McCallister. They had two children - Kelli Suzanne and Kristen Lea.
After working for several businesses around the Guthrie area including Western Electric, he started working for United Co-op of Mulhall in 1972. He married Rhonda (Longan) Nickels in July 1978 and considered her son, Nathan Nickels a bonus. After 22 years of employment and receiving numerous service pins and safety awards, Jack left the Co-op to open Jack’s Junk, located in the old post office building in downtown Mulhall. He retired from the Mulhall Volunteer Fire Department and was also a storm spotter with the Logan County Civil Defense for many years.
In October of 1995 Jack went to work for Heritage Construction Company of Stillwater. He was a construction superintendent when the rebuilding of Mulhall began after the May 3, 1999 tornado. In addition to the many homes whose construction he supervised before and after the storm, the Mulhall-Orlando Fair Barns are an ever present testament to Jack’s contribution to the Mulhall community during that difficult time.
A diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in August of 1999 was met with optimism, determination, and Jack’s ever present humor. After successful treatment, he continued his employment with Heritage Construction until debilitating recurrences in 2003 and 2004 forced him into early retirement.
He was predeceased by his parents, his daughter Kristen Lea, one brother Leon “Chig” Shafer, four sisters Virginia Booher, Lavone Billings, Delma Cole, and Syble Parker; and two nephews Mitchell Shafer and Joey Arnett.
He is survived by his wife Rhonda of the home; his daughter Kelli Shafer Yadon and husband Craig of Guthrie; and son Nathan Nickels and wife Missy of Stillwater. He is survived by five grandchildren Jordain, Alyssa, J.T., and Ali Nickels all of Stillwater and Jackson Yadon of Guthrie. He is also survived by one brother Max Shafer; one sister Karen McAnally and husband Jackie all of Mulhall; mother-in-law Alpha Longan of Coyle; and in-laws Phil Longan, Gary and Sue Longan, Stan and Sherry Longan, and Toni and Rob Coleman all of Stillwater/Perkins area and Rheta and Steve Arnett of Edmond. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors all of whom will miss him dearly.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 15, 2010 at Smith Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jacob Russell of Coyle Christian Church officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, Mulhall. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.
Visitation will be Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made in Jack’s memory to the Mulhall-Orlando Public School Development Foundation, Mulhall Volunteer Fire Department, or Judith Carmen Hospice.
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