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The spirit of a man like Gov. Raymond P. Shafer who was dedicated to his family and public service will live on, the Rev. Terry A. Clark told the Shafer family as the late governor was laid to rest Sunday at Saint John’s Cemetery in Union Township.

“Though we will depart in sorrow, we will not depart in despair,” Clark said, reflecting on the governor’s life and many accomplishments. “He had lived well, left the world a better place and looked for the best in other people.”

The Meadville resident was Pennsylvania’s governor from 1967 to 1971. He was 89 when he died Tuesday at Meadville Medical Center from congestive heart failure.

The former governor’s burial was given full military honors by the Pennsylvania State Police Honor Guard.

Seven state police riflemen each fired a three-volley salute in Shafer’s honor followed by a bugler playing “Taps.” A bagpiper then played “Amazing Grace” to close out the service.

At funeral services earlier in the day at Allegheny College — Shafer’s alma mater — some 200 friends and family members gathered in the school’s Ford Chapel to honor Shafer. He was hailed as a visionary for Pennsylvania who also was devoted to his family.

Former Pennsylvania governors William Scranton — whom Shafer served as lieutenant governor, Richard Thornburgh and Tom Ridge were among those attending Sunday’s service at Ford Chapel. Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll and Pennsylvania State Treasurer and U.S. Senator-elect Bob Casey Jr. also attended.

Gov. Ed Rendell traveled to Meadville Saturday, visiting privately with the Shafer family during calling hours at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home.

Family members who spoke at Sunday’s service called Gov. Shafer beloved.

“Anyone who is loved is beautiful,” R. Philip Shafer Jr., the governor’s son, said, his voice filling with emotion. “My father was a beautiful man ... He loved and was loved by his family.”

Paul (Pete) Shafer, the governor’s nephew, said “He always was so generous and loving to his family. He loved not only being a father, being a grandfather and a great-grandfather.”

The governor always included the entire Shafer family in his discussions of family, Paul (Pete) Shafer said.