Obituary of Walter E. Shaffer

Walter E. "Jake" Shaffer, 91 longtime resident of Iowa City died Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am Friday, June 20, 2014, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery where military honors will be provided. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial donations can be made in Jake's memory to the Quad City Honor Flight Association. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Walter Edwin Shaffer was born October 14, 1922, in rural Johnson County, Iowa the son of Walter B. and Edith (Roberts) Shaffer. Following graduation from Sharon Center High School he enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War II. Returning to this area, he married Betty M. Lepic on September 29, 1952. Walter worked for over 31 years for the United States Postal Service in the Iowa City and Coralville offices. After retirement he volunteered at Goodwill Industries which turned into a paid position for over 8 years, and most recently he joined Betty in working at ACT. Jake was a member of the American Legion, liked to share his political beliefs, but most important in his life was his family. There were no better words to be heard by Walter than, Dad, and Grandpa! His family includes his wife of 61 years, Betty; sons and their wives, Gary and Michelle Shaffer of Austin, TX and Jeff and Sue Shaffer of Silver Creek, GA; his daughter and her husband, Ellen and Mark Schau of DeWitt, IA; 8 grandchildren, Susan Shaffer, Travis Shaffer, Jena James, Adam Jessen, Erik Jessen, Amanda Voss, Lane Schau, and Morgan Schau; 10 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Alverta Williams of Tiffin. Walter was preceded in death by his parents, 5 brothers, Wayne, Robert, Paul, Delmer and Mervin Shaffer; and his sister, Viva Colony.