Ronnie Shafer

Former Wasilla resident Ronnie Edward Shafer, 30, died unexpectedly Aug. 15, 2007, at his home in Nikiski.

A celebration of Shafer’s life and memorial potluck will be held 5 p.m. today at the Captain Cook State Park in Nikiski. For information contact David Lashley at 394-1668. Additional services will be held 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Surry Baptist Church, 76 Church St., Surry, Va.

Shafer was born Jan. 11, 1977, to Ron and Margaret Shafer in Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. He attended school in Surry, Va., before moving to Wasilla in 1983, where he lived and attended school. He later moved to Nikiski, where he worked at the Nikiski Senior Center. He was a born again Baptist. He received awards for his outstanding football and bowling skills and enjoyed fishing, hunting, collecting gem stones and novelties.

Shafer loved the outdoors and especially loved his family and three daughters. He was always ready to reach out and help others.

Shafer is survived by father Ron Edward Shafer of Elberon, Va.; mother and stepfather, Margaret (Franklin) Jenkins of Goochland, Va.; former stepfather Alan Groller of Wasilla; daughters Christine Howe and JoAnn Howe and their mother, Kayla Nicole Shafer, all of Petersburg, Va.; daughter and her mother, Jennesse Raymondo and Hollie Raymondo of Wasilla; brothers Daniel Grassley of Anchorage, Tommy Farnsworth of Petersburg, Robbie Wayne Shafer and Randy Lane Shafer, both of Elberon, Va.; grandparents Betty and Wayne Shafer of Sanger, Calif.; and grandfather Franklin Puckett Sr. of Colonial Heights, Va. Shafer was preceded in death by grandmother Virginia Puckett.

Memorial contributions may be made to assist Ronnie’s daughters C/O David Lashley, P.O. Box 8149, Nikiski, AK 99635.