Thomas R. Shafer | 88 | Carrollton

Thomas R. Shafer, 88, of Carrollton IL died June 3, 2025 at Boyd Hospital in Carrollton, IL. Tom was born on F. 15, 1937 in Springfield IL to William and Agnes (Smith) Shafer and raised by George and Marjorie (Shafer) Cory of Kane IL. He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1955 where he played football and ran track. After high school in December of 1955 Tom joined the Air Force where he was a 3rd class Private and in December of 1956 he was medically discharged. He married Henrietta Willis on May 2, 1958 at the First Baptist Church in Carrollton, IL. They were married for 66 years. They had a daughter Angelia (Shafer) Baumer.
Tom was a member of Carrollton First Baptist Church where he was Sunday School Superintendent , BYF sponsor, a trustee and usher-bell ringer.He began his working career at International Harvester as a book keeper from 1958 to 1971. He worked at various other manufacturing businesses through the years and ended his working career as Head Custodian from 1984 to 1999 at Carrollton Elementary School which he dearly loved.Tom loved his Hawk sports. On Friday night’s you could find him on the Carrollton football field as a member of the “chain gang” (40 years). He also followed the girls basketball and softball teams. He worked at track meets too. He was an avid Cubs fan. He enjoyed fishing. Around town he was known as the “Tomato Guy” starting 500-600 tomato plants from seeds in the basement each February, and planted a big garden every year. He also enjoyed planting flowers, especially ones that would attract butterflies. He loved feeding his squirrels and birds. Another one of his hobbies was tinkering with HO scale model trains. He also liked to help at the cattle show each year at the Greene County Fair.An accomplishment he was most proud of was his donation of 109 pints of blood.He is survived by his daughter Angelia and son-in-law Larry Baumer, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his aunt and uncle who raised him, his brothers Donald Cory , Kenneth Cory, Bob Shafer, and his sisters Toni (Cory)Dixon, Dorothy (Shafer) Nesbitt, and Betty (Shafer) Seline.His family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful staff at Boyd Hospital and BJC Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and support.Funeral services were held 12 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2025 at Airsman-Hires Funeral Home in Carrollton with burial at Providence Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation was from 10 a.m. until the time-of-service, Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Carrollton Hawk Football Team and Providence Cemetery. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com