Darrel Shafer

Darrel Jon Shafer, 73, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Creighton Hospital in Omaha, NE.

Darrel J. Shafer was born August 9, 1942, southeast of Grant, Iowa, the son of Donald and Margaret (Hendrickson) Shafer.

He graduated from Griswold High School in 1960.

Darrel and Joan Louise Sparks were united in marriage on June 7, 1964, at the Methodist Church in Maryville, Missouri. To this union, a daughter, Amy Dawn, and a son, Darrin Wayne, were born.

Darrel worked for Kaser Construction for fifteen years. In 1978, he bought a rock truck and a lime truck and started his own trucking business which he operated for thirty years. In 2008, Joan and Darrel sold their house and Darrel's trucks in Grant, IA, and moved to Atlantic. Darrel was going to retire, but after moving to Atlantic, he wanted something to do. He then started driving a dump truck for David Wright, which he dearly loved. He drove for David until his health started to decline, which was a few weeks ago.

He loved antique tractors, old farm machinery and going on old tractor rides. Darrel also liked playing cards and being around people. He never saw a stranger.

Darrel was a member of the Two Cylinder Club and was a social member of Nishna Hills Golf club.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bradley and Galen; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Sparks.

Surviving Darrel is his wife, Joan of Atlantic, Iowa; daughter, Amy (Mark) Keast of Carson, IA; son, Darrin of Cumberland, IA; a brother, Kent (Jan) Shafer of Des, Moines, IA; sisters-in-law, Karen Shafer of Ankeny, IA, Lois Shafer of Stanton, IA, Margaret Gay of Villisca, IA, Betty Cooper of Red Oak, IA and Cheryl Rea of Lampasas, TX; a brother-in-law, Wayne Sparks of Redwood City, CA; an aunt, Mary Hendrickson of Des Moines, IA; and many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation with family will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Sunday, July 24, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa.

The funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m., Monday, July 25, 2016, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic IA, with burial in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.