Rev. John R. “Jack” Shafer

The Rev. John R. “Jack” Shafer, of Lewisburg and formerly Williamsport, went to be with the Lord, on Monday, January 13, 2025, three days before celebrating his 98th birthday.
Born January 16, 1927 in Hummels Wharf, Snyder County, he was the son of the late Edward C. Shafer and Helen I. (Grubb) Shafer.
Jack married Doris J. (Luckenbaugh) Shafer on June 11, 1949. Together they shared 42 years before her passing on November 13, 1991. Surviving are two children, Irenay Weaver and her husband, Robert of Montoursville and the Rev. Eric Shafer and his wife, Robin of Selinsgrove; a daughter-in-law, Linda Shafer, of Williamsport; six grandchildren, Brian Shafer (Pam Miller), Elissa Weaver, Heather Shafer, Ryan Weaver (Elisa), Kyle Shafer (Paige), and Zachary Shafer (Hannah); seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Phyllis Hall of NY; and two nephews, Wade and Gary Hall.
Jack married Phyllis (Wagner) Shafer on October 23, 1993. Together they shared 28 ¢ years until her passing on July 27, 2022. He inherited 5 step children, Marlin “Rick” Wagner (Peggy), Sherry Wagner Reinecker, Barbara Wagner, twins, Susan Wagner and Holly Wagner Bell (John); nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris and second wife Phyllis; a son, Edward P. Shafer in 1992 to cancer; a granddaughter, Monica Weaver on Flight 800, July 17, 1996; and a brother-in-law, Warren Hall.
Jack, who was affectionately known by many as a devoted shepherd of the Lord’s flock, was officially licensed to preach in 1946 by the Central PA Conference of the Evangelical Church. His journey of unwavering commitment to his calling began during seminary with assignment to the Keystone-Perry Charge where he met Doris. He was ordained as a full elder in 1950.
Throughout his extensive ministry, Jack served with passion and dedication, impacting the lives of countless individuals across various congregations. His ministry continued with the Sugar Valley Charge, Bethel-Mill Creek Charge, Cumberland Charge, Saint John’s (now Saint John’s-Newberry), and Baughman United Methodist Churches, before he retired from full-time ministry in 1992. However, retirement did not dim his zeal for service as he continued to serve many other congregations as an Interim minister including the Unityville Charge, Heshbon-Eagle Charge, Trout Run-Rose Valley Charge, Castanea Charge, Avis, Faxon Kenmar, and Trinity Jersey Shore. In May of 2021 Jack was the recipient of the Bishop D. Frederick Wertz Award from Lycoming College for outstanding leadership to the church.
Jack’s influence reached beyond the pulpit and into the broader church community through his active involvement in various offices within the annual conference. His roles included Conference Youth Fellowship president, district youth leader in two districts, president of the Conference Board of Education, member of the Conference Council on Ministries, dean of the School of Missions, president of the Preachers’ Aid Society, member of the Camping Committee, counselor, directed camps at Central Oak Heights, and was a member of the Quincy Home Board. His voice resonated with many as he contributed to the “Word and Music” program on WRAK radio and served as past president of the Central Oak Heights Association and as a board member of the Williamsport Community Concert Association.
Outside the church walls, Jack was a kind and thoughtful man who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed all sports. He had fond memories of playing baseball for the Sugar Valley Indians in the Clinton County League. Jack was an avid bowler, always striving for excellence and driven by a desire to win. His love for trains and poetry added layers to his rich character, and he had a special knack for personalizing every card he sent with a touch of his gentle soul.
In his many years of ministry, Jack’s dedication was evident in the numbers: presiding over 687 weddings, 822 funerals, 593 baptisms, and welcoming 879 members into the fold, including 440 on the profession of faith. He delivered a remarkable 3,642 sermons, with 549 of those shared in his retirement years. His voice, a beacon of faith, was heard weekly on the radio for 11 years. Jack never forgot his commitment to ministry, made in 1942 during a service in the Tabernacle at Central Oak Heights, and he carried that promise throughout his life.
A funeral service to honor Rev. Jack Shafer’s life will be held 12 p.m., Monday, January 20, at Saint John’s – Newberry United Methodist Church, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport with the Rev. Robert Wallace officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-11:45 a.m. on Monday at the church.
A graveside service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, January 21 at Pomfret Manor Cemetery, 900 Packer St., Sunbury. When entering the cemetery from Packer Street, please stay to your left until you arrive at the gravesite.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to Central Oak Heights Association, P.O. Box 60775, Harrisburg, PA 17106 for the capital fund or a church of your own choice.
Online condolences may be made on Jack’s memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com.