Merl Raymond Shaffer

Merl R. Shaffer, 82, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, March 11, 2019. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday, March 14, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church. Family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, March 13 at Dengel & Son Mortuary. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Merl, the son of Ralph “Sandy” and Lorene (Deay) Shaffer was born at home June 9, 1936, in Williamsburg, Kansas. He lived in the Homewood area moving to Ottawa in 1962. He graduated from Williamsburg High School with the class of 1955. Merl was united in marriage to Betty Jo Allen February 9, 1958, in Ottawa. She preceded him in death on August 13, 2003. He was also preceded in death by his parents, baby sister, Etta Marie Shaffer and twin brother, Earl Shaffer. Survivors include four children, Raymond and his wife LaVerne Shaffer of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Robert and his wife Barbara Shaffer of Kansas City, Missouri, Evan and his wife Carrie Shaffer of Ottawa, and Darla and her husband Galen Brown of Pomona; his companion of many years, Norma Sellers; four siblings, Ralph and his wife Sharon Shaffer of Williamsburg, Larry and his wife Betty Shaffer of Pomona, Janie and her husband Bob Cheney of Great Bend, and Nancy Tolson and her companion John Hickock of Ottawa; twelve grandchildren, Angel Maxwell, Bryan Shaffer, Breena Shipman, Kaden Shaffer, Kamryn Shaffer, Kaleb Shaffer, Kristen Shaffer, Cori Brown, Hunter Thompson, Dustin Thompson, Morgan Jilek, and Taylor Jilek; eight great grandchildren, Amaia Maxwell, Landen Maxwell, Arrington Allen, Liam Shaffer, Abigail Shaffer, Silas Shipman, Levi Shipman, and Brynlee Shipman. Merl was a lifelong truck driver. When he was 14 years old, he worked 2 years on the Ransomville Farm and later worked at the Sunrise Dairy. In 1959, he started hauling milk and in 1964 he acquired his own milk route which he operated until 2001. He worked 47 years with Killough Construction hauling many different materials as an independent contractor. He attended the First United Methodist Church and was a former member of Ruhamah Baptist Church. Merl loved family gatherings and watching his grandchildren participate in many activities. He enjoyed watching the KC Chiefs, KU Jayhawks, and driving his dump truck. He also enjoyed spoiling his dog, Smokey and cat, Kitty. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Merl’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com