Frank M. Shaffer

YORK, PA – Frank M. Shaffer, Jr, 80, passed away December 31, 2016 in Pittsburgh. He was the husband of Carolyn E. (Shelly) Shaffer to whom he was married for 54 years. A celebration of life tribute service will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 5, 2017 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market Street, York with his Pastor, The Rev. Kevin T. Shively officiating. Viewings will be held from 7-9:00 PM Wednesday at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York and from 12-1:00 PM Thursday at the Church. Burial will be at 9:00 AM Friday at Emanuel Cemetery, Lewisberry, PA with full military rites provided by York County Veterans Honor Guard. There will also be a memorial service held in Monroeville for family and friends at a later date to be determined. Born October 6, 1936 in Grove City, a son of the late Rachel A. (Moore) and Frank M. Shaffer, Sr., he retired in 1980 as a Major with the US Air Force. In addition to numerous awards and honors over his 21 year military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service during The Vietnam War. In 1999 Frank retired from PennDOT as an Emergency Management Specialist. Frank enjoyed crafting walking sticks from Pennsylvania hardwoods. He was a member of American National Cane Club of Lancaster, PA, PA Guild of Craftsmen and was a juried member of the Yorktowne Craft Guild. Mr. Shaffer also served as a board member for the Historical Trust of York Co. and was an active member of the Retired Air Force Association. In addition to his wife, Mr. Shaffer is survived by two daughters, Valerie Harmon and husband Sean of Waimea, HI and Juliann Smith-Gaetano and husband Anthony of Monroeville; three grandchildren, Rachel Pitchman and husband Matthew, Devyn and Briana Harmon; two great grandsons, Dominic and Mason Gaetano; three sisters, Susanne Johnson of Pittsburgh, Marilyn Diffenderfer of Camp Hill and Jeanne Harper of Mercer, PA; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Anthony V. Gaetano. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grove City College Outing Club, c/o Tom Ronksley, 4946 Simmons Circle, Export, PA 15632 or to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 839 W. Market St., York, PA 17401.