Richard L. "Rick" Shaver, Jr.

Richard "Rick" Leland Shaver, Jr., the second oldest of eight children of Richard Leland Shaver, Sr. and Bonnie Juanita (Helton) Shaver, was born on March 21, 1961 in Red Oak, Iowa. Rick grew up in Red Oak where he attended Red Oak High School. After high school, Rick and Cindy McVey were married and to this union two sons were born, Damian Scott Shaver, on February 25th, 1983, and Fabian Boyd Shaver, who died at birth on October 10th, 1986.

Rick worked many construction jobs over the years in and around Red Oak, where most of those years he was employed by Echternach Construction as a cement finisher. Rick and JoDonn Marie Swank were married in Red Oak in 1996. They lived in Red Oak until 1998, when they bought and moved to an acreage in Hepburn, Iowa. Rick continued to work for Echternach Construction until 2007. His final year of work was for Stickler Tree Trimming Service in Hepburn, during 2008.

Rick enjoyed watching WWE wrestling and proudly collected Stone Cold Steve Austin memorabilia. He faithfully watched the Rachel Ray Show during the mornings and would often come up with unique, although sometimes inedible meals, as a result of her shows. He loved vacationing with his wife near La Crosse, Wisconsin and traveling along the Mississippi River. He dreamed of retiring there someday.

By April of 2009, Rick's health had failed to the point where he was unable to continue working. He had unknowingly contracted a fungal lung infection while working in Arizona in the early 1990's. This infection remained dormant until 2009 when it reappeared, resulting in meningitis and a partial removal of a lung in September.

Rick passed away on December 13, 2009, in Malvern, Iowa, attaining the age of 48 years, 8 months, and 22 days. He was preceded in death by his infant son Fabian Shaver; mother Bonnie Shaver; brother Terry Shaver; brother-in-law Danny Williams; and father-in-law Richard Hemingway.

Rick is survived by his wife Jody Shaver of Hepburn, IA; son Damian Shaver and wife Cindy of Wolsey, SD; father Richard Shaver, Sr. of Red Oak; sisters, Chris Norris and husband Mike, Patsy Williams, Tammy Cerven and husband Mike Lifford, and Wendi Latus and husband Robert, all of Red Oak; brothers, Jerry Shaver and wife Judy, and Tim Shaver, all of Red Oak; mother-in-law Shirley Hemingway of Leroy, MN; sister-in-law Brenda Shaver of Red Oak; many other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law living in Minnesota; aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends throughout Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family.