Stephen Phillip Shafer, age 56 of Mansfield, Ohio passed away on October 8, 2025 at the home of his son, following a hard fought battle with cancer. On September 25, 1969, he was born in Mansfield, Ohio the son of James W. Shafer and Laurel L. Gayheart.
Stephen had lived in Mansfield for most of his life, but most recently resided in Lucas Ohio. In his earlier years, he owned a chimney sweeping business and worked for many different odd jobs, including pig farming, brick laying and painting. He was previously employed at Mansfield Plumbing, Tuttle Construction, and retired as a senior foreman at Shook Construction in 2025.
He had many different hobbies, such as driving race cars, building model planes and cars, hunting and fishing. He could often be found outdoors working on cars, often spending his days in various garages working on anything between engines and building race cars. He was a very proud father and grandfather. He loved his family very much and showed this by lending a helping hand to anyone in need. Stephen was a very dedicated and hard-working man. If he couldn’t be found working on hobbies, he could be found on a job site. He knew how to light up a room with his charm and a sense of humor. Even on his worst days, he could always find the positives and make you laugh.
He is survived by his three biological children, Brittany (Nathan) Deaton, Stephen J (Cassaundra) Shafer and Hannah (Thomas) Murrin; two stepchildren, Miranda N. Hackworth and Haylee E Hackworth; 14 grandchildren; his mother, Laurel R (Richard) Gayheart and brother, Eric V (Sherry) Shafer.
He was preceded in death by his father and both maternal and paternal grandparents.
The family would like to extend a special, thank you to his closest friends, coworkers, and family for lending a helping hand and helping to make the best of these hard times. The family will be having a private memorial service. A celebration of life, open to the public, will be held on October 26, 2025 from 11 AM – 3 PM at Kindred Cove, 1710 Lorkay Dr, Mansfield, OH 44905.
Funeral Home: Ohio Cremation & Memorial Society
Website: www.ohiocremation.org