Today's Obituary

[Sam]

This is an obituary from an online version of today's Cincinnati newspaper:

Originally published on 3/18/2007
SHAFER Rev. Eugene Harold. Beloved husband of Dorothy Marie Shafer. Dear father of Eugene E. Shafer, Gladys Beam, Laura Daniels and Mary Jane Lewallen. Brother of Mildred, James "Happy", Elwanda, Audrey, Andrew, Goldie and Chester. Loving grandfather of Richard, Gary, David, Laura, Deborah, Elbert, Wesley, Gladys, Bridget, Brian, Eugene E., Robert "Bobby", Robert E., Melissa, Phillip, Lewis, Patty, many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. Passed away peacefully Friday, March 16, 2007. Age 94 years. Friends may call at Chas. A. Miller Sons Funeral Home, 4138 Hamilton Avenue at Knowlton Street, Northside, Tuesday March 20 from 11 AM until time of funeral service at 1 PM. Interment Baltimore Pike Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting the online guestbook at www.chasamillersons.com
----------------------------------------
This gives lots of facts about an old man who died a few days ago but says nothing about him as a preacher who loved Jesus and loved His name. Bro. Eugene Shafer was pastoring a church here in the downtown Cincinnati area when I first came this far south in the spring of 1957.

From what I understand, he was a Church of God preacher when he was introduced to Eld. Fred Crider by his daughter, Virginia Crider. Eld. Fred Crider talked to him and as a result he was later baptized in Jesus' name. Eugene Shafer was a Jesus' Name preacher as long as I can remember. Eugene Shafer and Virgina Crider were married many, many years ago. I don't really know how many years ago it was. Virginia was also a Jesus' Name preacher and they had three children together. Later, she went a completely different direction and Eugene raised those children. He later married Dorothy, the woman who is listed in the obituary, and they had a daughter together. He always carried the stigma of being a divorced and remarried minister.

Eld. Fred Crider was my wife's grandfather and Virginia was her aunt (her father's sister). I was introduced to Bro. Eugene Shafer shortly after coming to Cincinnati. I've visited his church many times and have preached for him several times. Years ago I heard that he had baptized over a thousand people in Jesus' name in this area so I don't know what the number might have been in his life time.

I had lost track of Bro. Shafer until I heard last summer that he had suffered a stroke and was in the hospital. I visited him but he did not wake up so I prayed for him quietly after talking to his wife and daughter. I went back again a week or so later and he was awake and alert. We talked about some old times and his memory was clear and sharp. He later went to a nursing home for rehab and my wife and I visited him there. Again, he was sharp and alert and very much in love with Jesus. Then I heard a couple of days ago that he had died. When I heard that I rejoiced in the Lord that this faithful old soldier had been called home to his reward. Eugene, as he liked to be called, put a lot of effort in worshiping the Lord. I've seen him dance and shout many times. He had a couple of songs, "Prayer Bells of Heaven" and "I Saw the Light" that he used to sing. I'm sure he is shouting and singing around the throne and looking at the face of Jesus right now. A while back I heard a song that pretty well describes what is going on in with him in Heaven right now. I only remember a few words but it said something like:
Sing the songs of Zion,
Shout the victory,
and march around the throne one time for me.