Obituary of J. Marlin Shaffer

J. Marlin Shaffer, Sr., 90, of Manheim, PA, went home to be with his Lord and Savior while being surrounded by his loving family on Monday morning, January 13, 2014 at Pleasant View Retirement Community, Manheim, following a brief illness. Born on the family farm in Rapho Twp., he was the son of the late Jacob and Minnie Hershey Shaffer. He was the husband of Dorothy F. Foreman Shaffer for 68 years prior to her passing in 2012. Marlin was a member of Chiques Church of the Brethren in Manheim where he sang with the men's chorus. He farmed the family farm until 1963 at which time he started a 30 year career as a truck driver with Interstate Jones and ended in 1993 when he retired from Yellow Freight. Marlin enjoyed restoring antique tractors, especially John Deeres, hunting, gardening, and spending time with his family in Potter County. He is survived by four children, Myrl E., wife of Clair E. Greiner, of Mount Joy, PA, Connie S., wife of Kenneth M. Rutt, of Drumore, PA, Judy A., wife of Ronald A. Strickler, of Lititz, PA, and J. Marlin, Jr., husband of Kandis K. Withers Shaffer, of Manheim; a daughter-in-law, Deborah M. Gibble Shaffer, of Manheim; 13 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; one great great grandson; and a sister, Etta Geib Brubaker, of Elizabethtown, PA. He was preceded in death by a son, Ronald L. Shaffer; a grandson, Nicholas L. Shaffer; and five siblings, Hershey Geib, Willis Geib, Emma Ruth Geib Nauman, Morris Shaffer, and Bernice Shaffer Arndt. A funeral service will be held on Sunday afternoon, January 19, 2014 at 3:00 PM at Chiques Church of the Brethren, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim, PA, with Ministers Ron Strickler and Michael S. Hess officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining church cemetery. The family will receive guests at the church on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 PM until the time of the service. The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, contributions may be made to the benevolent fund of Pleasant View Retirement Community, 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545. To express a condolence with the family or to view a webcast of the service anytime beginning Monday morning, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.