Jo Shafer

Josephine Ann "Jo" Shafer (Robertson), 88 of Higginsville, Missouri tragically passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in a house fire. Jo was born on Tuesday, January 5, 1937 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, to Jasper Robertson and Pearl (Walker) Robertson. Jo was a graduate of Butler, MO High School. Shortly after graduating, she married William “Bill” Oscar Shafer. The couple shortly later relocated to Higginsville, due to Bill accepting a job transfer with Mattingly's. Jo was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Higginsville where she was a Sunday School teacher, an elder and a deacon. She was a Preceptor for Delta Psi of Beta Sigma Phi, member of the local Optimist Club and the Red Hat Society. Jo was a housewife while her children were younger and then she worked at the Higginsville High School in the cafeteria. Jo was also a local office manager and was a typist for the Higginsville Advance. Jo and Bill loved to vacation in the winters to the Gulf Shores, Alabama. She enjoyed creating scrapbooks for all of her grandchildren from birth until 21 years of age. She also liked to sew, paint, upholster and was very artistic. She loved to cook Sunday meals for her family every week. Even at 88 years old, she was still donating blood to local blood banks and recently donated her 121st pint of blood. Jo’s passion for her family, friends and helping others will never be forgotten. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; brothers, Robert Dean (Loreatha) Robertson, Wallace "Bud" (Lenora) Roberson; sister Margaret Barber; son, David Shafer; and grandson, Derek Gillilan. Surviving are daughters, Sheri (Randy) Lovercamp, Pam (Robert) Gillilan; daughter-in-law, Deanna Shafer; brother William Robertson; sister, Hazel (Bill) Davidson; grandchildren, Rachael (Eric) Meyers, Emma Gillilan, Zachery (Julia) Gillilan, Samantha (Ernie) Tibai, Glenna (Garrat) Wilson, Ryan (Jennifer) Shafer, Matthew (Kaisee) Lovercamp; great-grandchildren, Brady Meyers, Jason Meyers, Kinley Gillilan, Grace Gillilan, Derek Gillilan, Wesley (Ariana) Tibai, Emmett Tibai, Anderson Tibai, Wrenly Shafer, Andee Lovercamp, Owen Lovercamp, Kaden Wilson (Brooke Young), Gillian (Carson) Blackburn; great-great-grandchildren, Denver Wilson, Warren Blackburn and Lyla Blackburn. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, Higginsville, Missouri. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, March 17, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO where she will be placed beside her husband, Bill. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Derek William Gillilan Memorial Scholarship.

Jo Shafer

January 5, 1937 - March 11, 2025