William “Shake” Shafer, 75, of Nuremberg, passed away late Saturday evening, November 24, 2018 at his home following a six-month illness. Born in Fern Glen, PA, January 18, 1943, he was the son of the late Norbert A. and Dolly (Berger) Shafer. He lived in the area until he was 8, when his family moved to Levittown.
He played in the Little League World Series in Williamsport for Levittown LL in 1954 and 1955, and played football for Pennsberry High School until January 1960, when the family moved back to the area. He then graduated from West Hazleton High School in June 1960. He played semi-pro football with the Hazleton Mustangs.
In 1964 he was drafted into the US Army for the Vietnam War. He served at Fort Knox, KY; Fort Gordon, GA, where he served as a Radio Teletype Operator, with top secret clearance; and Fort Bragg, NC, where he was attached to the 101st Airborne. He was then sent to the Dominican Republic for 1 1/2 years, where he joined the US Forces baseball team and played against baseball greats, Juan Marachal, Felipe and Mattie Alou, Orlando Cepeda, Rico Costi, and Manny Moto, who became a great friend.
He was a member of American Legion Post #699, Nuremberg; and Valley Vets, VFW Post #8161, Conyngham. Shake worked a Training Coordinator for Fabri-Kal Corp. in the Valmont Industrial Park for over 40 years.
He had previously worked at Triangle Cable, NJ; Lycoming Construction and Herco Form Corp. , Berwick. He was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ.
Nuremberg. In addition to participating in many sports he was also involved in coaching many area youth programs. He was a biddy basketball coach for many years; was an assistant wrestling coach at Hazleton Area High School, and was a member of Silver Streak and Hazleton Area Wrestling Boosters.
Surviving are his wife the former Charlotte Keszkowski to whom he was married on February 7, 1970 in Emmanuel UCC, Nuremberg; three children, William D. Shafer, and his wife Diane, McAdoo; Jeannette Barron, and her husband John Paul Barron, Jr., Drums; and David Shafer and his wife Jessica, Drums; seven grandchildren Gregory, Bethany, Emily, Katie, Anna, Bo, and Bella; two step-grandchildren Abbey, and Aaron; a sister Phyllis Knelly, and her husband David, Nuremberg; and many nieces and nephews. His funeral will be held Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 10:30 am from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (West) 1265 Rock Glen Road, Rock Glen. His pastor, the Rev.
Dwyane Nichols will officiate at continued services at 11 am in Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Nuremberg. Interment will take place at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday evening 6-9 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Emmanuel United Church of Christ, PO Box 232, Nuremberg, PA 18241. Online condolences can be entered and more information is available at www. harmanfuneral.com.
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