Robert Shaffer

ROBERT L. SHAFFER, 83, entered Eternal Life on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, after two months of fighting pneumonia. He died in the arms of his wife of 61 years, Marney, and surrounded by his very large and loving family. Born on March 11, 1933, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Edward and Josephine Shaffer. He attended Central Catholic High School and graduated from Central High School. He was drafted into the armed services shortly after high school, on April 1, 1953, and served in the U.S. Army until April 1, 1955. On July 30, 1955, he married Marney Chloe Applegate at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church. He was an electrician with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and a self-employed electrical contractor for 61 years. He was an inventor, a successful businessman and an entrepreneur. He was adventurous, loved music, dancing and believed "Everyday is a good day." He was a lifelong Catholic, a PAL football coach, a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, and later, a founding member of the DeKalb 9/12 patriot group. Robert is survived by his wife; his 10 children, Douglas, Dana, Laura, Sara (Matt) Kruger-Geyman, Thomas, and John (Brigette) of Fort Wayne, Barbara (Geoffrey) Parker, Jeff, and Jennifer (Richard) Brule of Saint Joe, Ind., and Joseph of Peyton, Colo.; as well as 31 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Visitation with his family and friends is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 22, 2016 at C.M. Sloan Funeral Home, 1327 N. Wells St., with Rosary at 7:30 p.m. His eternal life will be celebrated with the Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016, at Most Precious Blood Parish following visitation at 9 a.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations to Catholic Relief Services and Saint Mary's Soup Kitchen. www.sloanandsonsfuneralhome.com.