Philip J. Shafer, age 88, 7072 West 200 South, Huntington, died at 5:28 a.m. Monday (January 8, 2007) at his home.

     Mr. Shafer was a lifetime Polk Township farmer and highly regarded as one of the State’s premiere Angus cattle breeders.  He was a life long member of Pilchers Chapel Methodist Church where he served as superintendent of Sunday school and board of trustees. Philip was Director of the Indiana Angus Association, and in 1969, served as President of the Association.

     Philip served his community as a member of the County Planning Commission for 2 years.  He was highly committed to the quality of education in Huntington County and was President of the Holding Corporation for Huntington County Consolidated Schools, responsible for financing the consolidation of all Huntington County schools. A lifetime resident of Huntington County, Phil graduated from Warren High School in 1936.

     Mr. Shafer was born September 4, 1918 in Warren, IN, the son of Harry and Dalta (Garrison) Shafer.   He married Evelyn Shell on September 3, 1939 in Huntington County.

     Survivors include his wife of 67 years – Evelyn Shafer of Huntington; three daughters – Mrs. Gary (Bonnie) Groves of Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, Connie Long of Huntington and Mrs. Robert (Sonnie) Laviolette, M.D. of Zionsville, IN; one son – Philip K. (Jenny) Shafer of Huntington; one brother – Hugh A. (Lou Ann) Shafer of Warren, IN; two sisters – Ilene Marshall of N. Manchester, IN and Mrs. Robert (Martha Joan) Richardson of Warren, IN; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.  Brothers – Dwight Shafer and Eugene Shafer, and a sister – Lelia Kirtley preceded him in death.

     Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Friday (January 12, 2007) at the Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington IN, 46750. Funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday (January 13, 2007) at Pilchers Chapel Methodist Church, 200 South 600 West, Huntington, IN with one hour of visitation prior to the services at the church.  Pastor Russell Buzzard will be officiating.  Burial will be in the Mount Etna Cemetery in Mount Etna, IN.

     Memorial contributions may be made to Huntington Area Transportation, Heartland Hospice or to Pilchers Chapel Methodist Church in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN  46750.