John "Butch" Shafer, age 65, of Coppock, Iowa, died Thursday, October 25, 2012 at his residence following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, October 29, 2012 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. Visitation will begin noon Sunday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington where the family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 Sunday afternoon. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will be held at West Chester Cemetery in West Chester, Iowa. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may sent for Butch's family at www.jonesfh.com .

John "Butch" Shafer was born November 15, 1946 in Washington, Iowa the son of James Marion "Moon" and Worval Beatrice (Wilson) Shafer. He attended school in Washington, Iowa and graduated from Kirkwood. He was united in marriage to Paula Johnson in November of 1969. .

Butch worked at Wilson Concrete for many years until health forced his retirement. While at Wilson's he did bridge and concrete work. He was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War having served in the United States Army. Butch served on the Coppock City Council for four years. He enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Shafer of Coppock, Iowa; four grandchildren; one great grandchild; three sisters, Judy Manning and husband Lyle of Wayland, Iowa; Peg Redlinger and husband Tom of Keota, Iowa; Shirley Miller and husband Bob of Washington, Iowa; two brothers, George "Bud" Shafer of Washington, Iowa; and Don Shafer and wife Sandy of West Chester, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Jamey in 2011; and five sisters, Sevillia Bixby, JoAnn Helfrich, Mary Lou Knebel, Betty Shafer and Virginia Shafer.