Eldon L. Shafer

Eldon L. Shafer, 83, of Bella Vista, Ark., formerly of Holton and Mayetta, Kan., passed away Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, at Concordia Healthcare in Bella Vista, Ark. Eldon was born April 4, 1929, in Holton, Kan., the son of Fred and Tressie (Shores) Shafer. He graduated from Holton High School in 1947. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict, receiving a Purple Heart Medal for the loss of his right leg in Korea battle in June 1952. He was a member of the Bella Vista Baptist Church, Purple Heart Club, VFW, American Legion and DAV. He was a farmer/stockman and also worked for the Royal Valley School District for 15 years before retiring in 1994. Eldon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie (Slater) Shafer of Bella Vista, Ark.; and his four children, Mary (Charles) Wilhelm of Mayetta, Kan., Gary (Patti) Shafer of Topeka, Kan., Sheri (Dallas) Collie of Bella Vista, Ark., Lauri Harris of Mayetta, Kan.; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be at Mercer Funeral Home, Holton, Kan., on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Holton Cemetery. Pastor Tim O'Byrne will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to Gideons International, Bella Vista Baptist Church, or Hoyt Baptist Church, and may be sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton 66436. A memorial service at Bella Vista Baptist Church is planned for later. To leave a special message for the family, visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.