Date of Death: December 31, 2020
Service Details
Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 14, 2021 at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, Michigan. A funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Bob Anderson officiating. He will be laid to rest in Peek Cemetery following the service.
A video of the service is available here.
A private service for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:30 pm at Wesley Covenant Chapel – United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, Kansas 66224, www.COR.org/memorialsonline. Please join us online for the service.
Obituary Notice
Zachary Justin Shafer, 25, of Ault, Colorado, went to be with Jesus on Thursday, December 31, 2020 as the result of a motor vehicle accident.
Zachary was born on May 10, 1995 to Justin and Heather (Harshberger) Shafer in Battle Creek, Michigan. He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and graduated from Blue Valley West High School in 2013. He then went on to serve his country with dignity and honor in the United States Marine Corps. Zac was studying Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University.
He enjoyed being with family and friends and absolutely loved spending time in the great outdoors. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, and simply observing the trees and wildlife around him. He also loved baseball and watching the Kansas City Royals.
On December 19, 2015, Zac married Grace Anne Johnson, who shared his passion for nature. They began their adventures together while stationed in Hawaii. There, they enjoyed hiking and exploring the islands together. After serving his time in the military, Zac and Grace moved to Colorado so he could pursue his degree.
Zac was a loving husband, brother, and son, and his loss has left an unspeakable void in the hearts of many. He was a light in everyone’s lives with his warm smile, compassionate and gentle nature, and amazing hugs. He will be dearly missed by all.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, his brother Jacob, his mother Heather, his grandparents Calvin & Ann Harshberger and Deborah Shafer, as well as his many other relatives, friends, and USMC “brothers.”
Additional Information
Donations are being accepted through GoFundMe for the Zac Shafer Memorial Fund.
Please Leave Your Condolences
When your condolences are submitted they will not display until approved by the Hohner staff for appropriateness out of respect for their memory. They should appear within 24 hours or less. Thank you for your understanding
Heather and family, We were so sorry to hear of this tragedy to your family. Although we didn’t know Zac, we pray for him and for your family. I am so sorry that we weren’t able to pay our respects but know you were in our minds and hearts that day.
Dear Heather, Jacob, Grace and the rest of the family,
My heart and prayers are with you. Jesus is with you. Our Faithful Heavenly Father will carry you through this time!
Know you’re so loved!
Heather and Jacob,
Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
The Webster-Shafer Family
Heather and family, we are very sorry to hear of your tremendous loss. Please find comfort in loving memories you have of him. Love, Ben, Angie, Allie, & Payton Bradford
Even though I did not personally know Zac, I feel as if I knew him through one of my dearest, long-time friends, his mother-in-law, Penny Johnson. To Grace Anne, Heather, Jacob, and family, our deepest condolences. Our hearts break with yours. Sending up prayers. Love always, Sherry
Dear Heather, Jacob, and Grace Anne,
I can’t imagine the intensity of grief you are feeling as I agonize along with you.
Zac was such an easy going, sweet soul, with confidence and dignity, had a calming personality, and maturity
beyond his years. He was a respectful gentleman, and I was so proud to call him my son-in-law.
Clearly he was brought up in a well-mannered home, which reflected in his loving behavior toward
Grace Anne, brother Jacob, and you, Heather. I am literally blown away by the inner strength you two ladies are showing as you go through this unimaginable place in time. Bless you both, and together we will get through this.
Love,
Penny
Heather, Jacob and extended family,
No words can express the sadness & sympathy we feel for you and your family. Know we love you all & will keep you in our prayers.
Morf & Arlene Harman
Heather and Family,
We are so very sad for your tremendous loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ryan and Michelle Bradford
Heather and Jacob,
Our hearts are broken to hear of the loss of your son/brother! It is absolutely devastating! Please know that you have and will continue to be in our prayers and we love you both dearly!!!
Jason, Jeannie, Justin, Jake and Jared Pattersons
Dear Grace and all family, we’d like to express our sincere and deepest sympathies. We all send our love to you and family. Love your cousins Ginny and Denny Sterner and all your cousins in Maine.
Grace Ann, I have no words. My heart breaks for you. All my prayers are with you during this incredibly difficult time. My love to you too.
Heather , I haven’t any words , but know I’m thinking and praying for your heart and that of your family’s , just in the pictures and knowing you , I know he was well loved , ❤️
Grace, Heather and Jacob,
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.
Kelly Celaya
Cal and Family,
So very sorry for your loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
David and Denise Miller
Heather, I don’t remember being this sad in a VERY long time. I do not have adequate words, thus, as I often do, I can only fall back to an all too familiar scripture for me: “Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.”
“Groaning” is the best I can say or do in this moment.
Coach
Coach Ed, thank you so much for sharing this scripture with me. It is comforting to know that we are surrounded by so many people who care, and that the Holy Spirit is near. We have such fond memories of the time Zac spent playing baseball with the Legends. He loved being a part of that team!