David Shafer

It is said the brightest of flames often burn the quickest, taken from us too soon, yet however briefly they burn, their impact is felt all the same. David Shafer's life was that way, burning brightly, burning briefly, yet his light, and his warmth, was felt by all who knew him.

David's story began on a hot summer day in 1971, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, as the Vietnam War continued overseas, and the protests continued here at home, as a half-million people marched on Washington. Still, there was cause for hope that summer. On July 26, 1971, Apollo 15 rocketed toward the moon, on a journey that would take four days to reach its extraterrestrial destination. On July 30, 1971, the astronauts landed on the surface. The same day, in the city of Grand Rapids, Bill and Marilyn Shafer had other reasons to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named David Allen Shafer.

David was joined by his brother Jason and sister Katie in the family's West Olive home, close to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. David attended Holland West Ottawa Schools on the north side of town, and graduated from West Ottawa High School in 1989, which was a bittersweet year for him. His brother Jason also sadly died in 1989, which was so difficult for the whole family. They persevered through the strength of their family and the strength of their faith, as devoted members of the Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Holland, where David was a lifelong member.

After high school, David headed off to Detroit, to attend college at the University of Detroit Mercy. After graduating from UDM in 1994, David returned to Holland to begin his career. Eventually he began working in the Receiving Department at one of West Michigan's best companies, Meijer.

Sadly, David died on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, at Holland Hospital, at the age of 35.

David was a wonderful man, a loving son, brother, coworker and friend. He was with us too briefly, taken too soon, but the light of his life lives on in all who knew him today. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his parents, Bill and Marilyn Shafer of West Olive; his sister Katie Shafer of Ypsilanti, MI; his grandmother, Mary Courtright of Mt. Pleasant, MI; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial funeral mass will be held on Monday June 11 at 11:00am at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 480 North 152nd Ave with Fr. Phil Nguyen officiating.

Visitation will be held on Monday from 10 to 11am at the church.

Burial of cremated remains will take place at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Harbor Humane Society, 14345 Bagley, Olive Township, 49460.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Northwood Chapel. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo of David, or to sign the online guestbook.