Marlene Rose Shafer, 87, of Defiance, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday morning, February 25, 2025 at The Meadows of Ottawa.

She was born to the late Rudolph and Regina (Bauer) Romes on May 6, 1937 in New Bavaria, Ohio. She was a 1955 graduate of Holgate High School. On May 19, 1974  she married Terry Shafer and he survives.

Marlene worked at North American Phillips for 38 years. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Defiance where she was a member of Altar Rosary Society and assisted with funeral dinners. She was a former member of Phillips Century Club and Ottawa Firemen's Auxiliary.  Marlene truly enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida. Along with her husband Terry, Marlene is survived by her two daughters, Deb Randall and Teri (Tom) Nicely, all of Defiance, her sisters, Lou Ann Ellerbrock of Glandorf and Alice Heitmeyer of Ottawa, her brother Ron (Jayne) Romes of Waterville, sister-in-law Patsy Shafer, and brother and sister-in-law Gary and Joyce Shafer. She also leaves behind her grandchildren; Ryan (Sarah) Randall, Scott (Traci) Randall, Rob (Erin) Randall, Eric (Nicole) Nicely, Stacy (Larry) Freshour, Kristen (Jarred) Hageman, and Kyle (Kennedy) Nicely, great-grandchildren, Robert, Lyla, Lizzi, Luke, Annabelle, and Milo Randall, Avery Antoine, Braylen and Bryce Nicely, Parker and Beckett Hancock, Landon and Lexi Freshour, Jenna and Ava Hageman, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Grace Egler, brothers-in-law Laverne Ellerbrock, Gilbert Heitmeyer and Ronald Shafer, and a sister and brother-in-law Janet and Richard Greenham. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 2:00-7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home South, Lawson/Roessner Chapel (1753 S. Clinton Street) in Defiance. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 1st at St. Mary Catholic Church in Defiance with Fr. David Cirata officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Riverside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mary Catholic Church, Putnam County Hospice, Alzheimer's Association, or to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.