Marcus Ervin Shaft
April 15, 1915 ~ August 18, 2011
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Marcus Ervin "Monk" Shaft, 96 years old, of 55 Dorchester Avenue, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 18, 2011.
Mr. Shaft was a life-long resident of Asheville and was a wonderful and devoted husband and father to his wife, six children and grandchildren and maintained several jobs throughout his life to support this family and also to help out his parents during his early working life. His first position was at the age of 14 when he delivered coal. Some of his other positions included delivering milk for Biltmore Dairy Farms and Sealtest Dairy and also as a machinist at Asheville and Mars Hosiery Mills. He also worked many years as a mechanic at Johnson's Exxon on Patton Avenue and Marshall's service station on Haywood Road and his final position was as a Security Guard at Farmer's Market from which he retired at age 86.
Mr. Shaft loved building and fixing items and spent many of his days doing this. He was never too busy to help his family or friends with their car or additions to their home and he never met a person with whom he could not make a conversation. He was also a devoted member of Cornerstone Church where he was faithful to attend for many years.
Mr. Shaft was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Shaft, Sr. and Laura Miller Shaft. He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife of 73 years, Mary Conner Shaft, a daughter, Barbara Shaft, a son, Charles Shaft, and a granddaughter, Suzanne Shaft. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Marjorie Burns and Ellen Cohen, and his brothers, Albert Shaft, Jr., and Clyde "Malone" Shaft.
Mr. Shaft is survived by four children - Mary Martin (David) of Asheville, Jack Shaft (Linda) of Atlanta, Georgia, Richard Shaft (Edith) of Knoxville, Tennessee and Natalie Shaft of the home. He also is survived by his five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue on Friday, August 19th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The funeral will be on Saturday, August 20th at Cornerstone Church at 11:00 a.m. at 12 South French Broad Avenue. Flowers are welcome and memorials in honor of Mr. Shaft can also be made to Cornerstone Church. The family also wishes to thank the caregivers who supported and assisted in taking care of Mr. Shaft in the last months of his life.
Dear Natalie & Family,
You are in our thoughts & prayers today and will continue to be in the days ahead. I know you will miss Mr. Marcus, but we can be thankful that our hope is in Jesus Christ.
Your friends,
Dean & Gwen Hammes
Mary, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family during this time of grief. Just know that your Dad is in a much better place although it has left a huge void in your life.
We have known Marcus over 44 years from attending the C&MA Church in Asheville. His testimony of when he asked Christ to come into his heart as Savior of his life is one we will never forget. We have loved and respected him and become close friends over the years. Our love and prayers are with the family.
Mr. Shaft was a true gentleman who loved and cared for his family always putting their needs ahead of his own. I will always remember his good nature, sense of humor, and his gratitude for the blessings he received. My condolences to the family and especially to Natalie whom I worked with at Square D.
Mary & Family: Our love and sympathy goes out to you in the loss of your Father. May you find comfort and strength in your treasured memories. Loved ones are like the threads in fabric; they are woven through us and we will feel their love forever.
Natalie, Sorry to hear of the passing of your Father.May God strength you at this time. Kmart Pharmacy
Natalie, Becky and I are sorry for your loss. Kathleen called me yesterday to let us know. We hate that we both have colds and cannot see you, but it is probably in everyone’s best interest that we stay away. We will be praying for you and the rest of the family in the days ahead.
Love your friends,
Bobby & Becky Wright
I worked with Monk for many years. Monk was always a good friend he was a pleasure to work with and to know as a person. Love and prayers to the Shaft family.
Ann Gossett
Mary, So sorry about your dad I tried to call but had the wrong# If i can do enything at all please call me. Love ya girl Louis
My condolences to Mr. Shaft’s family. I am so sad to hear of his passing. He was such a kind neighbor to my grandmother who lived next door to ‘Monk’ many years ago and Barbara was one of my best friends at Vance Elementary School, also many years ago. My prayers are with the Shaft family.
There will always be a special place in our heart for ‘Daddy Shaft’. We loved his stories and sometimes strange jokes. But one thing I will always remember about him is his caring heart and his love for his wife and Lord. They don’t make men like him anymore. Peace be with you all.
Uncle Monk was and always will be special in my life. His sense of humor and his love for all of his family and his God was for real. Most of you know why I cannot be there. I will join him in heaven soon. Love you all, Jim & Donna Barker
Bob and I send our condolences to all of Monk’s family. We remember him well from his days at Mars Hosiery, where he worked with Bob Bayer and Morry Bard, my father. He will remain in our memories as a fine man.
Audie Bard Bayer
Natalie,
As the years go by you start to realize the ones who have been a part of your life make you who you are. I am extremely proud to say that Uncle Monk was a part of my life. A part of me will always be Roscoe P Coaletrain and that will always be one of my favorite parts. We love you and will continue our prayers for you.
Love,
Brett, Valerie, and Hunter Barker
Natalie & all the family,
Please accept our most sincere expressions of sympathy at this time of the (temporary) loss of your (and our) dear Marcus. What an EXAMPLE of God’s absolute TRIUMPH in one life through Jesus our Lord!! What a dear man, wonderful Christian friend, devoted husband and loving father. How precious now are those wonderful memories at First Alliance (Cornerstone) Church. Marcus continues to be truly loved by so many…and we will love gain around the Throne for all eternity! Amen!
Natalie, Sorry to learn of your father’s passing. We lost Daddy almost a year ago, Sept 23, 2010. I know what you are going through. Your father, like mine, had a long life and enjoyed working as long as they could. We can be proud of that. Pleae know that you are in my prayers at this time of loss.
Natalie – So sorry for your loss. Think of you often and will remember you and your family in prayer.
Pray God’s peace will surround you during the days ahead.