John W. Shaffer Sr., 71, of Golfview Manor, Meadville, died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at Hamot Medical Center, Erie.

He was born in New Castle on March 6, 1938, a son of Everett and Helen White Shaffer.

He married Martha Shaffer; she preceded him in death in 2006.

He attended Elkins High School in New Castle. He retired in 1976 from the U.S. Army, then worked in maintenance at Allegheny College until 1996. He served in the Army in the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry, for 21 years, retiring as a sergeant. His decorations were: National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, two overseas Service Bars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and six Service Stripes.

He was of the Protestant faith.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, loved to bowl and was very good at it.

Survivors include his mother, Helen Shaffer of Saegertown; four daughters, Cherrel Butler and her husband, Michael, of Saegertown, Kristine Howles and her husband, Donald, of Guys Mills, Jackie Limano and her husband, Joseph, of Erie, and Joy Checots of Meadville; two sons, John Shaffer Jr. and his companion, Anna, of Chicago, and Scott Bigler of Florida; several grandchildren; two sisters, Linda Twiford and her husband, Warren, of South Carolina, and Dorothy Beck of Meadville; two brothers, Robert Shaffer and his wife, Francis, of New Castle, and Kenneth Shaffer and his wife, Linda, of Saegertown; and his former spouse, Donna Nichol of Saegertown.

He was preceded in death by his father; his wife; and a brother, Norman Shaffer.

Arrangements are private and under the direction of Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home and Crematory, 614 Baldwin St., Meadville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006, 1045 S. Morgan St., Meadville, Pa. 16335; or to the Meadville Public Library, 848 N. Main St., Meadville, Pa. 16335.

Please sign the guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.