Miles E. Shafer

Miles E. Shafer, age 91, of Eaton, OH, peacefully passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at the Dayton VA Hospice Unit (Victory Ridge). He was born December 20, 1934 in Piqua, OH to the late Clarence and Hazel (Popp) Shafer.

Miles was a member of the Eaton First Church of God for many years.

In addition to his parents, Miles, the youngest of nine siblings, was preceded in death by his brothers, Howard, Bob, Don, and Paul Shafer, sisters, Frieda, Esther, Mary Ellen Shafer and Rachel Adkins.

Miles is survived by his beloved wife of almost 70 years Lavonne “Bonnie” (Swart) Shafer, son Barry (Jessica) Shafer and daughter Becky (Rick) McCollum, grandchildren Kate (Beamer) Carr, Maggie (Skylar) Reckers, Miles (Anna) McCollum, Reade and Rachel Shafer, 8 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Miles grew up in Springfield, OH, and was a member of the first graduating class of Tecumseh High School. Miles served in the US Army as a tank gunner in Frankfort, Germany shortly after WWII, during the Korean War era.

Moving from Dayton to Preble County in 1966, Miles and Bonnie raised their children in West Manchester and then West Alexandria, becoming faithful Twin Valley South parents.

While Miles retired from a long career at Dayton Power & Light, he is best known as a piano tuner/technician and church worship leader, servicing pianos in Preble County and surrounding areas. A trained baritone vocalist, Miles served as a worship leader/choir director wherever his family attended (East Park First Church of God in Dayton, Miamisburg First Church of God, Eaton First Church of God). Miles sang with the Kingsmen’s Quartet in the Dayton area in the 1960s, and was a longtime member of Dayton’s community choir, the Daytona Chorale. In more recent years he was a regular performer of the National Anthem at many grandchild sporting events at Twin Valley South High Schol and community veterans’ events.

Miles’ relationship with God was the hub of his life, driving his sacrificial love for his family along with his gentle and contented spirit. Miles had a variety of interests, including floating on a lake, jogging along the road, sitting on the front porch, walking in the woods, camping with his family, rooting for the Cincinnati Reds, The Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Green Bay Packers, but mostly he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. In his younger years Miles enjoyed athletic accomplishments in basketball, baseball, and many years in church softball.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 12:00 noon until time of funeral service at 2:00 pm at the Eaton First Church of God, 601 E. Lexington Road, Eaton, OH with Rev. Aaron Holman and Rev. Jerry Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Hill Cemetery in Eaton, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to InWord Resources, Inc., (www.inword.org) and the Eaton First Church of God (www.e1cog.com). Gard Funeral Home, Eaton, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences and other remembrances may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.