Mary Lou Shafer

(From Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home)

Mary Lou (Brown) Shafer passed away on January 24, 2024. She was born on December 28, 1934 in Joplin, MO, and was the 3rd of 5 children born to Myrtle Elizabeth (Henderson) Brown and Walter Eugene Brown. 

She married Theodore "Ted" Shafer on October 11, 1953, in Yuma AZ. They lived in southern California following Ted's discharge from the Navy until 1971 when they moved to Joplin, MO. They live in rural Joplin until 2019, then downsized by moving to rural Wyandotte, OK.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 70 years Ted; 1 brother Bob Brown (Donna); 2 daughters, Gloria Christensen (Skip) of Arvada, CO and Sheri Loncarich (Weldon) of Wyandotte, OK; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Elizabeth Kay "Betsy" Padgett in 2021.

Mary Lou enjoyed reading, sewing, needlework, quilting and baking. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren, attending most of their ball games and sporting events throughout the years. She worked for many years as an office professional and bookkeeper in both California and Missouri. She retired from Missouri Probation and Parole. 

She was a member of more than one quilting groups in Joplin. She especially enjoyed being part of the group that currently meets at the Duenweg Christian Church. Mary Lou valued the quality time she spent and the many friends she made within the group.

Graveside services under the direction of Campbell-Biddlecome Funeral Home, Seneca, will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Ozark Memorial Park, Joplin, MO, with Stephen Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Carson Loncarich, Ryan Fretwell, Rick Brust and Vicente Gonzalez.