COLUMBUS
Donald (Don) Shafer, 63, a resident of Columbus, Indiana, passed from this life on Monday, August 13, 2023. Don was born on November 24, 1959 and called Columbus, Indiana home. He was the loving son of Shirley Ann Davis and William Donald Shafer, stepson of John Allen Davis, and brother of Gary Lee Shafer. On September 18, 1987, Don married Mary Elizabeth Walter, also of Columbus, Indiana. Don and Mary were parents to Katherine (Kate) Ann Shafer, who was born in Atlanta, Georgia in March 1993.
Don was a member of Setauket Presbyterian Church in New York and enjoyed visiting East Columbus Christian Church when in Columbus. Don was extraordinarily gifted with music and was playing banjo to large audiences by the age of ten. His music abilities were enjoyed far and wide; he toured with his band across the country and even picked the banjo as far as China and Taiwan when visiting his daughter there in 2016. Don was also a gifted photojournalist whose photos that appeared in both The Republic and Indiana State’s Statesman. Don had a successful career in the photo, film, and optics industry, notably working for Wolf Camera, Nikon, Schneider Optics, The Tiffen Company, and Shafer &Bragg Marketing.
Don is survived by his daughter, Katherine (Kate) Ann Shafer of Atlanta; nieces, Nicole (Nicki) and Megan Walter of Indianapolis, Indiana, Hanna Richardson of Columbus, Indiana, Emily Visser of Ravenna, Michigan, Erika Nykamp of Zeeland, Michigan, and Sophie and Zoe Shafer of North Vernon, Indiana; nephews Josh Richardson of Waldron, Indiana and Andy Luttrell of North Vernon, Indiana; sisters-in-law DeAnn Walter of Indianapolis, Indiana, Ann Walter-Ball of Atlanta, Georgia, Eileen Walter of Michigan, and Candace Luttrell of North Vernon, Indiana; brothers-in-law Dwight Luttrell of North Vernon, Indiana, Tim Walter of Indianapolis, Indiana, Maury Ball of Atlanta, Georgia, and John Walter of Los Angeles, California. Don was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather; his brother; and his wife, Mary Walter-Shafer.
In keeping with the family’s request, cremation will take place and a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with Ron Bridgewater officiating. Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 9:30 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home. A live stream of the memorial service may be viewed at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at barkesweaverglick.com.
Don will be laid to rest with his wife at the Setauket Presbyterian Church cemetery in Setauket, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with Don’s family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com.
