Jack B. Shaffer

Jack B. Shaffer, 92, of New Bethlehem, died Monday, May 27, 2019 at the Jefferson Manor Health Center in Brookville. He was born September 13, 1926 in Mahoning Township, Armstrong County the forth child of the late Jacob T. and Ruth (Procious) Shaffer. He grew up on the family farm. Jack graduated from the New Bethlehem High School in 1944 where he played football. He also served our country as a Merchant Marine aboard a Victory ship in the Pacific during World War II. Following the war he worked for the Kittanning Telephone Company as a linesman, drove a coal truck for his brother-in-law Earl Cornman, and worked briefly as a coal miner. In the early 1950’s he and his wife moved to Long Island, New York, where he worked as an aircraft electrician for Republic Aircraft. In 1956 he returned to Armstrong County to become proprietor of Shaffer’s Market in Distant, PA for many years. Jack organized the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of Distant. Jack worked diligently as a member of the Mahoning Township Water Authority to bring municipal water to the Distant area. He was also instrumental in organizing the Distant Fire Company. Jack is a member of the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in New Bethlehem, PA where he held many leadership positions.

He is survived by his wife of seventy-two years Mary Ann (Ellenberger) of New Bethlehem; sons Thomas J. (Lois Guthrie) Shaffer of Dayton, PA; Jeffrey L. (Pamela Serene) Shaffer of Kittanning, PA; daughters Nancy (Bill) Starr of Elizabeth, PA; and Connie (Simon) Brocious of Sommerville, PA; 12 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren; he is also survived by a sister Dorothy (Clarence) Cornish of Kittanning.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; older sister Emogene Cornman, older brother Kenneth E. Shaffer, and one great grandchild Lauren Elizabeth Kuck.

Friends will be received on Thursday, May 30, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm and 7:00 -9:00 pm at the Snyder-Crissman Funeral Home in Kittanning. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, May 31, 2019 at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, where there will be additional visitation from 10:00 am until the time of the service. With Rev. William Starr assisted by Rev. Sarah Heppenstall officiating Graveside services will be conducted at the Oakland Cemetery in Distant, PA. A luncheon will follow at the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s honor to the New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church at 403 Penn Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242

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