James L. Shafer

Mr. James L. Shafer, 68, of Taylorville, IL passed away at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at his residence.
He was born February 13, 1948 in Taylorville, IL the son of Joseph and Genevieve (Shaw) Shafer. He first married Mary Hengles and they later divorced. Jim later married Linda Barber Dickerson in Decatur, IL in 1987.
Mr. Shafer graduated from Taylorville High School in 1966 and went on to attended Southern Illinois University. He then joined the Army. Jim was stationed in Japan working in ammunition renovation. After his discharge from service he returned to S.I.U. and then transferred to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago where he graduated in September of 1971. He was granted his funeral directors and embalmers license in October of 1972 and owned and operated Shafer Funeral Home in Taylorville until his retirement in 2009 due to health reasons. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Moose Club, and VFW post #4495 all in Taylorville, IL.
Surviving are his wife Linda of Taylorville, IL son Joseph (Patty) Shafer of Elgin, IL son David (Jenny) Dickerson of Indianapolis, IN daughter Dacia (Tim) Passoni of Normal, IL grandchildren Averi, Nick, Noah, Jasmyn, Kynnedi, Molly, Laney, Korbyn, Jack and a granddaughter due in March, along with his sister Shirley (Richard) Davis of Taylorville, IL brother J.C. (Lan) Shafer of AZ several nieces and nephews, father-in-law Richard Barber and sister-in-law Sharon (Terry) Holderfield all of Mattoon, IL and brothers-in-law Ron (Annie) Barber of Charleston, IL and Ken (Velma) Barber of CA.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Joann.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 21, 2016 at Shafer-Perfetti Funeral Home, Taylorville, IL. Pastor Becky Lemke will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery, Taylorville, IL. Visitation for Mr. Shafer will be held from 4 to 7 pm Sunday evening at the funeral home.