Jeff Shafer

If there was one thing that Jeff Shafer could tell you it was, “Life was always better when we’re together.” This is a lyric from the song “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. Jeff loved this song. It was the Shafer family theme song. Nothing brought Jeff more joy than surrounding himself with those he loved. It was even better if that time was at the beach. One of Jeff’s favorite quotes was, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you will miss it.” This was from the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. In the movie, Ferris encourages his friends, who are feeling anxious about life and becoming adults, to make the most of their time, be curious about life, and most of all have fun. Jeff lived this every day, living life to the fullest.

May 20, 1972, Ronald and Josephine Shafer of South Haven, Michigan, welcomed their son, who they named Jeff, into the world. Throughout his childhood, Jeff was a typical young man of his generation in many ways. He was raised in the family home in Allegan alongside his sister, Lori. Jeff’s father, Ron, worked as a computer technician for Verizon, while his mother, Jo, worked at North Ward Elementary and later at Allegan General Hospital and Kalamazoo Radiology. Many weekends and holidays were spent with extended family on the family farm in South Haven, where the children would play in the back forty. From a young age, Jeff enjoyed swimming with friends, mountain and BMX biking, skateboarding, snowboarding, dirt biking, hockey, kayaking, and participating in triathlons. He was a thrill seeker and loved anything that moved fast. The Shafer’s worked hard and taught their children to always work hard and give their best, but also that life was short and to do something they loved. They took Lori and Jeff on fun adventures to the beach and on vacations to the Straits State Park, Mackinaw, and Disney.

At the age of 16, Jeff moved with his family to Kalamazoo, where he attended Kalamazoo Central High School. He balanced his education with a job at the Holiday Inn, and he soon began working at the Radisson as a valet and bellman. Jeff went on to graduate from high school in 1990, and he eventually earned his Associates of Science degree. He moved to Florida in 1998 and began working for the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.

It was near the end of 2000, while Jeff was working at the Swan Hotel, that he met the woman who would soon become the love of his life. Her name is Toni, and she was working as a front desk agent at the time. There was an instant spark between the two, and after Jeff spent a short time living in Michigan, he moved back to Florida so that he could pursue a relationship with Toni. They began dating in 2001, taking a memorable first date to the House of Blues. The couple shared many common interests, riding bikes, skating, going to local theme parks, and hanging out with friends. It did not take long for Jeff to realize he had met his perfect match. It also became clear that Florida was not going to be their permanent home.

In 2002 Jeff and Toni made the move back to Kalamazoo. Jeff began working for Pharmacia Upjohn, which then became Pfizer and he continued to work there until the time of his passing. Toni entered the radiology program and after she graduated the two had bought their first home together in May of 2005. They knew it was time to step into their future together as husband and wife. Jeff and Toni were married on July 23, 2005. Not long after, they adopted two crazy husky mixes, Bindi and Macy, who brought an extra level of energy and the best way to start their little family.

Of all the things Jeff loved in life, he treasured his family above all else. In 2008 their little family grew by two when they welcomed twins Giavanna and Anthony in August. Life in their house was full of love and laughter and a little crazy as they adjusted to life with twins. In 2010 they decided that their family was not quite complete and in January 2011 they welcomed Matteo into their hearts and home. Jeff thrived in his role as a father, and he was very involved in their lives and activities. He loved watching them do what they loved. He passed his passion for the great outdoors on to his children. The Shafer family took memorable vacations to Disney, Mackinaw, Oswald’s Bear Ranch, Tahquamenon Falls, Wilstem Ranch, and Gettysburg, along with various parks and museums. Most of all they loved visiting the South Haven beaches. He was always happiest with his toes in the sand. Sadly, their beloved Bindi and Macy crossed the rainbow bridge during the pandemic. The newest member of the family, a husky puppy named Glacier captured their hearts and joined them in 2022.

Jeff loved to be outdoors, and biking and skateboarding were always favorites. With the help of a friend, he built a half-pipe in the backyard of their first home and a dirt bike track in the back yard of their current family home. He enjoyed watching many TV shows and movies, including Survivor, Amazing Race, America’s Got Talent, Home Alone, and anything Marvel or DC Comics. They both enjoy the theatre and introduced the kids to plays and performances such as the Lion King, the Wizard of Oz, and Dude Perfect. The Shafer family had several yearly traditions that brought them so much joy. One of their most loved is a Halloween tradition. They would race around downtown Kalamazoo to take pictures of skeletons, and the team with the least number of skeleton photos had to buy everyone ice cream. One of their summer traditions was going to South Haven to eat pizza and watch the sunset. Jeff was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and in May 2024 he and Toni took the kids to a roof top game at Wrigley. He loved music and shared his love of music with his kids. One of his favorite songs to sing with the kids is “Banana Pancakes” from Jack Johnson, but Jeff’s listening tastes were diverse. Some favorites were Tori Amos, Fugazi, Green Day, B. B. King, Garth Brooks, Cold Play, and Eminem.

Jeff’s smile and sense of humor could light up a room, and he loved to have fun. He was a devoted son, husband, father, brother and uncle, and nicknamed Jeff-fa-fa. He was a great friend and loved by so many. He will be deeply missed. Jeff leaves behind a priceless legacy. Live life to the fullest, be adventurous, laugh and have fun and cherish every moment with the ones you love.

Jeff Shafer of Kalamazoo, age 52, passed away from a short aggressive battle with pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2024. Jeff was preceded in death by his grandparents: Josephine L. Dopp, Gerald B. Dopp, and Ina Shafer, Gerald R Shafer; cousin, Daniel Allen Dopp; uncle, James E. Shafer; uncle, Jerry L. Shafer; aunt, Carol Shafer. Surviving are his parents, Ronald and Josephine Shafer; sister, Lori Shafer; wife, Toni Shafer; children: Giavanna Marie Shafer, Anthony Joseph Shafer, Matteo Nicholas Shafer; and several nieces and nephews.

Join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 26 from 1-4 PM at Sherman Lake - Kellogg Hall, 6225 N. 39th St., Augusta. Memorable moments will be shared at 1:30 PM. Come as you are. Wear fun colors. Jeff's favorite was red, or his favorite team was the Chicago Cubs. Celebrate Jeff's life online by sharing photos and stories on his personal webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.