Daryl Francis Shaffer

Daryl Francis Shaffer, 95, passed away Friday afternoon, May 26, 2017 at Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in Raleigh, NC. A memorial service to honor Daryl’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 2, in the auditorium at Springmoor. A reception will immediately follow (location to be advised). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springmoor Endowment Fund, 1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27615. Daryl will fondly be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, a fun and wise father, and a friend to everyone. His nephew shared “Daryl was a wonderful individual; he made this world a better place”. Daryl’s former son-in-law shared “he was an exceptional father-in-law, and a very kind and caring grandfather”. His neighbors and friends at Springmoor remember his sparkling eyes, his kind smile, his easy manner and his way of making them feel special. Daryl was born on October 22, 1921, in Illinois, the son of A. Edward and Dora Shafer. A scholar, athlete and graduate of Milton H.S., Daryl worked for Shell Oil, Alton, IL. He reported for service two days before his 21st birthday in 1942. Daryl served in WWII as a Staff Sergeant/airplane & engine mechanic/rifle marksman in the U.S. Army Air Force where he was assigned to the “A Flight Company” of the 511th Fighter Squadron of the 405th Fighter Group. (The 405th was primarily assigned to support Patton’s Third Army.) He returned to Shell Oil, where he met his wife. Daryl and Alma Ruth Johnson were married on October 10, 1953 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edwardsville, IL. After 15 years with Shell Oil, Daryl pursued a civil service career with the U.S. Government 1962-1985, working in Administration for various departments in Kansas, Hawaii, Washington, Mississippi, Michigan and New Jersey where he retired in 1985 after 26 years of service. He was an avid reader, enjoyed studying maps and loved playing cards. Daryl is survived by sister-in-law Margaret Shafer of OR, sister-in-law Vivian Lund (Dwight) of Warrenville, IL; daughters: Nancy Shaffer (Mel Graben) of Cary, NC; Janet Shaffer (Peter D. Leonard) of Winston Salem, NC; former son-in-law Rich Hoffert of Asheville, NC; granddaughters: Sarah Hoffert (Michael McGinn) of East Flat Rock, NC and Jessica Hoffert of Highlands, NC; many nieces and nephews and “great” nieces and nephews including Angie Wheelehon (Doug) of Williamsville, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and his 5 siblings: Earline Duke Smith, Paul Vernon Shafer, Betty Doolin, Myron “Buster” Shaffer and Mary McAdams. We sincerely thank all the medical and hospitality staff at Springmoor and Stewart Health Center, his Raleigh physicians and his neighbors and friends for their love, support and professionalism during Daryl’s eleven years in Raleigh and during Alma’s four years as well.