Rosemary “Rosie” M. Shaffer-Shields, 86, of Union City passed away Friday, April 3, 2026 at her home, under hospice care, surrounded by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 8220 M-60, Union City, MI with Rev. Fr. James Adams as celebrant. Interment will follow at Burlington Cemetery.
Visitation will take place Friday, April 10, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., with a rosary service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI.
Rosie was born October 10, 1939, to Steve and Mamie (Rzepka) Nowak in Sturgis, Michigan. She graduated from Bronson High School with the Class of 1957. She married Jack Shaffer November 15, 1957. She had three beloved children with Jack.
The couple bought the Chivis Grocery in 1966 and expanded the store by buying out the cabinet shop next door. In 1973, they moved the store to the empty A & P building, but in 1980, a fire destroyed the hardware warehouse attached to the store.
Jack and Rosie then purchased the lumberyard (where the existing store is located) with hopes of building. With the help of family and friends, they were able to build the new store. The store opened the doors August 11, 1980.
Jack passed away in March 1995 at the age of 56. The family renamed the store to “Jack’s Family IGA”. In 2016, there was a celebration of 50 years in business. It was a parking lot party! In the year 2020, the family decided to sell, after a total of 54 years of groceries!
June 16, 2016, Rosie married James Shields at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. He preceded her in death in 2019.
In Rosie’s free time, she loved to go to food shows for the store, concerts in Shipshewana, traveling, riding motorcycles, playing Euchre at the Senior Center, and going to Las Vegas with the Spooners and Baldwins. Showing and racing pigeons was a favorite pastime of Rosie and Jack’s. She also loved going to the U.P. to tour the fall colors. Her biggest excitement was spending time with David, going to BINGO, and phone calls from family across the states.
Rosie was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, serving as President of the Ladies Guild. She was also active in the U.C. Betterment Association, Ladies Fire Auxiliary, and sponsored and played on a bowling team for many years.
Rosie is survived by her life partner, David Lynd; her children, Cindy (Bill) Fox of Union City, Dennis (Cindy) Shaffer of Union City, and John Shaffer of Union City; her grandchildren, Amy (Jason) Williams, Timothy (Jessica) Fox, Austin (Barbara) Fox, Auna (Brent Vanzandt) Williams, Dennis (Taylor) Shaffer II, Sasha (Derek) Mc Laughlin; and many great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter in-law, Deana Shaffer; her husbands, Jack Shaffer, James Shields and her close friend, Milt Winters.
Memorial contributions may be made to Union City Senior Center, 501 N. Broadway Street, Union City, MI 49094, or to Oaklawn Hospice, Oaklawn Development, 116 East Prospect Street, Marshall, MI 49068 or online at https://oaklawnhospital.org/services/hospice/make-a-memorial-donation-to-hospice/.
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