Vaughn Shafer

Vaughn Shafer, 85, “mayor” of Hungry Horse, died Sunday, June 6, 2010, in the arms of his beloved son Ron, and daughter Jan, at his home in Hungry Horse. Vaughn was born Aug. 21, 1924, in Downsville, Wis.

After graduating from high school, Vaughn played semi-pro baseball with Andy Pathco. Andy was “drafted into the majors and Vaughn was drafted into the Navy,” as Vaughn said. He received his medical discharge and married the first pretty woman he saw when he got off the boat, Irene Karnes.

In 1963, Vaughn and Irene loaded up the station wagon with the family and moved from Milwaukee to Hungry Horse.

Vaughn was an avid sports fan, from local teams to his “Cubbies” and “Packers.” He rarely missed a game, even if he had to listen to it on the radio, “cussing out” the poor reception in the Canyon.

Vaughn worked at the Aluminum Plant for 20 years and developed lifelong friendships with his “buddies.”

In 1982, Vaughn and Irene bought the Hungry Horse Corral, and for 29 years they entertained family, friends and tourists.

Vaughn was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Irene.

He is survived by sons, Terry and Judy of Hungry Horse, Ron of Columbia Falls, Mark and Sharon of Whitefish, and Craig of Hungry Horse; and daughter, Jan, of Lakeside; grandchildren, Todd Shafer, Toni and James Nanini, Ben and Amanda Shafer, Siara and Chuck Jay, Kyla Shafer, Cydney Sergeant and Jeff Shafer; special nephew, Louis, and Mary Kentros; and one great-granddaughter, Aspen Shafer, the light of his life.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 19, at Canyon Baptist Church in Hungry Horse, with a potluck following.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Canyon Baptist Church or Canyon Elementary School.