Father James "Jim" Richard Shaver

Father James "Jim" Richard Shaver passed away on Monday, April 3, 2023 surrounded by his loving family at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI.

Jim was born June 22, 1949 in Lansing, Michigan to James and Geraldine Shaver. Jim attended high school seminary at Mount St. Francis and has maintained life-long friendships with his classmates. Jim graduated from Michigan State University. Prior to being ordained, Jim worked as a personnel and labor relations manager and also served as an Ingham County Commissioner.

Jim attended St. John's seminary in Plymouth, and Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.  Jim was ordained a priest in 1989 and served in the Diocese of Lansing including serving as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson for 19 years.

Fr. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Geraldine Shaver; his father, James Shaver; and brothers, Tom and Steve Shaver.  He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Joseph Shaver, Michael (Yudith) Shaver, Patrick (Lauren) Shaver, Timothy Shaver, Maureen Shaver, Margaret (Michael) Weller; sister-in-law, Tricia Shaver; Aunt Anita Daly, and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Fr. Jim had a lifelong love of sports. As soon as he was old enough to obtain his driver's license, as a teenager he would bring his younger siblings to Detroit to watch Tiger baseball games. His earliest great thrill in sports was the Tigers' win in the 1968 World Series. But his greatest sports passion, by far, was his love of MSU Basketball. He was a continuous season ticket holder dating from the era of coach Gus Ganakas and through every season of the Heathcote and Izzo eras. In 1979 he was thrilled to travel by train to Salt Lake City to watch Magic Johnson lead the Spartans to a national championship. Fr. Jim sometimes celebrated Catholic Mass at road games for Spartan staff and families.

Jim was an excellent singer, and he loved to sing. He sang at Mass and other liturgies. He sang at family gatherings. He would often sing "Danny Boy" at a wake service or "Blue Suede Shoes" and "You Look Wonderful Tonight" at a wedding reception.  Fr. Jim was Irish from head to toe. His maternal Daly family heritage was dear to him. From early childhood, Jim and his younger siblings were taught Irish tunes and melodies by their dad, and the kids were proud to perform these songs for other members of our larger Daly Irish clan.  One of Fr. Jim's special interests was his involvement in The Lingap Children's Foundation. The Lingap Center provides food, shelter, education and hope to the neglected, abused, exploited and abandoned children of Toledo City, Cebu, Philippines.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday April 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Jackson, Michigan with Bishop Earl Boyea presiding and Bishop Jerry Vincke as homilist. The Funeral Mass will be lived streamed on St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church's Facebook Page. Immediately after the funeral there will be a procession to St. John Catholic Cemetery for the committal.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 11 from 3:00 PM until 8:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with a Scripture Service being held at 7:00 PM with Fr. Jim Eisele as presider. Visitation will also take at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM prior to the funeral liturgy on Wednesday, April 12.

A Scripture Service will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers consider a donation to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church for renovation of the community room to be named in his honor.

Fr. Jim's large and loving family now take him to his rest. We know that he made a difference in this world. He touched the lives of many people – relatives, friends and parish families. He celebrated with them and counseled them through baptisms, weddings, health problems and funerals. The stories that could be told about Jim's love would fill a book. We are grateful for the many, many ways that he has been generous and kind and loving to us all.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family Owned for 133 Years