Claudette Lorene (Finley) Shafer passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on October 1, 2025, following a hard-fought battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Claudette was born on August 19, 1942, to Claude N. Finley and Nola L. (Pinkley) Finley in what would become Paramount, CA in Los Angeles County, CA. She grew up with her parents and four older sisters in a house on Jackson St surrounded by beautiful Bougainvillea flowers. Claudette graduated from Paramount High School and later met her loving husband David L. Shafer on a blind date while he was stationed at the nearby Navy base, and they married in 1963 and moved to Indiana to start a family.

Claudette was a lifelong member of the daughters of the American Revolution and a long-time faithful member of the Belleville Bible Church. She loved cooking, keeping her home immaculate, reading, poetry, yard sales, and crafting with her granddaughters. She was a talented gardener with a yard full of beautiful roses and Lilly of the valley. She was also known to save many critters that ended up in Dixie bathroom cups at the hands of her grandchildren. She loved Dairy Queen Blizzards and splitting giant tenderloin sandwiches with her husband. They vacationed often in Nappanee, IN, always returning with raspberry cream pie for family members to share. She was a wonderful and strong mother, grandmother, and friend who was adored by all she met.

After her Parkinson's diagnosis, Claudette spent the final years of her life in Toccoa, GA surrounded by her loving family and a team of dedicated caregivers. Claudette's family extends a heartfelt thank you to her caregivers for loving and caring for her.

Claudette was preceded in death by her husband David Shafer; parents, Claude and Nola Finley; and sisters, Mary Lou Stout, Parna Hale, and Rosie Lee De Priest. She is survived by her three devoted children Mandy Smyth (Danny), Missy Teal (Scott), and John Shafer; four beloved granddaughters, Abbey Bruce (Jake), Sydney Carillo (John), Allison Fortenberry (Caleb), and Reilly Teal; as well as four (soon to be five) precious great grandchildren Levi Bruce, Graham Fortenberry, Lucy Bruce, Finley Fortenberry, and "Baby Fortenberry" due in 2026. She also had a zoo of grand-dogs and cats that she loved to spoil with treats.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday October 9, 2025, at Conkle Funeral Home, Avon Chapel, Avon, Indiana.

The funeral service will be at noon, Thursday, October 9, 2025.  The burial will follow at Center Valley Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. (donations@michaeljfox.org )

Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net .

Conkle Funeral Home, Avon, Indiana is in charge of the arrangements.

Announcement courtesy of  Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations.