Shirley Elaine Shaffer

Shirley Elaine Shaffer, age 69, of New Philadelphia died Wednesday, December 18, 2013, in her residence following a sudden illness.

Born at Oberlin, Ohio on November 30, 1944, Shirley was a daughter to the late William Joseph and Margaret Lucille (Hensel) Vlk.

A 1962 graduate of Firelands High School at Vermillion, Ohio Shirley served as Vice President and President of the Commercial Club and was a member of the National Honor Society.

For a number of years, Shirley worked in the Housekeeping Department at Union Hospital and following her official retirement, returned to the hospital as an active volunteer. She enjoyed the friendship of those at the New Philadelphia VFW. Shirley also found pleasure in reading, gardening, caring for her cats and spending time with her grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by two daughters, Julie Ekey and her fiancé, Thomas Albright and Valerie (Daniel) Dieter of New Philadelphia; a step-daughter, Tracy L. Shaffer of Maine and a step-son, Ronald (Elise) Shaffer of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Brock and Emma Shaffer and Tanner, Alexandra, and Danielle Dieter, and an aunt, Agnes Barber of Wellington.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald D. Shaffer, who died on January 4, 1999, an infant sister and a brother, David Vlk.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 20, 2013 from 1:00-3:00 and 5:00-7:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. Pastor Donald Rice, Jr. will lead a funeral service celebrating Shirley’s life on Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home’s chapel.

Memorial contributions in Shirley’s name may be directed to Union Hospital Volunteer Services, 659 Boulevard, Dover, Ohio 44622.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Shirley by visiting the funeral home’s website at www.GeibCares.com.