LaVerne Shafer, 100, of Galesburg, Illinois, died on Sunday, June 24, 2018, after a brief stay in Seminary Manor.

She was born September 29, 1917, in Claremont, Illinois, the daughter of Harry L. and Ida V. (Hanes) Burgener.  She married Robert N. Shafer on June 13, 1942, in Kimball, Nebraska.  Bob preceded her in death October 14, 2012.

She is survived by a daughter, Diana Wojciechowski of San Antonio, Texas; three sons, David N. (Joyce) Shafer of Queen Creek, Arizona, James R. (Carol) Shafer of Tremont, and Donald L. (Barbara) Shafer of Peoria; nine grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

LaVerne was raised in Richland County, Illinois, where she graduated from Olney Township High School in 1935.  She attended Carthage College.  She was a teacher in Olney.  After living in Richland County for 34 years, the family relocated to Chenoa, where they lived for 21 years.  It was during this time that she taught piano lessons and was church organist for Trinity Lutheran Church there.  Next, life took LaVerne and Bob to Mendota, where they lived for 25 years before moving to Galesburg in 1996.  While in Mendota, she was the piano accompanist for the Singing Mothers.

LaVerne was a member of Galesburg Trinity Lutheran Church and its Ruth Circle.  She belonged to the Mendota Women’s Club and was a 50-year member of the Home Extension.

Funeral service at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Robert Franek officiating.  Burial in East Linwood Cemetery. 

Pantagraph, The (Bloomington, IL) - Tuesday, June 26, 2018