Thomas Dale Shafer, 83, of Glenford, Ohio passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Tom was born on November 14, 1942, to the late Dale and Eleanor Shafer. He grew up on the family farm in Glenford. Tom graduated from Glenford High School, class of 1960. He took much pride in playing on the basketball team during his high school years. After graduating, he always enjoyed meeting up with his fellow Glenford High School alumni at their annual reunions and regularly scheduled class lunches. Tom started working for the Central Silica Company in 1964 and worked there for thirty-five years until his retirement in 1999. While employed there, he also served as the union representative for the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers Council of the USW for many years. Tom was also a life-long Democrat who was active with the Perry County Democratic Party for many years. He was also elected and served two terms as a Perry County Commissioner from 1982-1986 and 1990-1994 when he served as the Vice President of the Board of Commissioners. He was also a lifetime member of The Elks. Tom’s greatest passion was working on the family farm where he enjoyed planting crops and raising different kinds of livestock over the years, including hogs, cattle, and sheep. He continued helping his sons around the farm until the time of his death. Tom is survived by his long-time partner, Anna Spears; three sons, Todd Shafer (Beth Santore), Terry (Gayla) Shafer, and Thomas Richard Shafer; two grandchildren, Jesse (Leann) Shafer and Josie (Tyler) Landerman; one great-grandson, Oliver Landerman; two brothers, John (Jenny) Shafer and Steve (Becky) Shafer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Shafer. He loved spending time with his beloved family. In addition to his own, he also treasured spending time with Anna’s family, who he considered an extension of his own; Shiela Spears, and her daughter Ashley Hill and son Tanner Hill (deceased); Carrie Spears and her daughter, Jenna (Gregory) Connell and their children Paige and Ellie, and son Jon (Olivia Herzog) Spears. Friends may call from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at the BOPE-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME in Somerset. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 20, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Glenford. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery.