Brenda S. Shanafelt

Brenda S. Shanafelt, Anderson, died on July 19th, 2025 after battling liver cancer. She was born on December 19, 1956 in New Castle, Indiana, the first child of Donald and Charlotte Stewart. Her parents pre-deceased her in 2013. Brenda spent her early years in New Castle, then Anderson. She started elementary school in Pendleton, graduating with pride with the PHHS Class of 1975. Brenda started piano lessons when she was in 2nd grade, and took them for 5 years. While in high school, she enjoyed acting in plays and singing with the Pendletones. In 1979, she married her first husband and gave birth to her two sons, Jerimiah and Joshua. After her divorce in 1994, she met her true love, David A. Shanafelt in 1995. They married in 1999, blending their families. Her work life consisted of several waitressing jobs, until she attended Indiana Business College (now defunct), graduating with highest honors. Brenda was then able to gain more substantial employment, working for a lawyer office, service cashiering for a car dealership, working at ACS with special needs students. Brenda is survived by her soul mate, David; her children, Jerimiah and Joshua Short (wife, Jillian), Josh Baugh, Leslie Shanafelt, Michael Shanafelt. Her beloved grandchildren are Makenzi, (Blake), Ashleigh, Leah, Zia, Liam, Isabella. She was totally in love with her great- grandchildren, Phoenix and Oaklynn; she is also survived by her favorite sister, Nancy (Kirk) Staley; four nieces; Tiffany (Tim), Lindsay, Kaelyn (Jacob), Alexandra (Sam), one nephew, Cameron (Laura); an uncle, Keith (Debbie) Stewart; several cousins. In addition to her parents, she was also pre-deceased by her brother, Larry, in 2020. Visitation for Brenda will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 W 53rd St., Anderson, IN 46013. The funeral service will begin at 6:00 PM. loosecares.com