Leonard Shaffer, age 83, of Auburn passed away on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Parkview DeKalb Hospital in Auburn. He was born on July 22, 1939 in Auburn to Lewis and Alice (Church) Shaffer. He was a 1957 graduate of Garrett High School. Mr. Shaffer honorably served his country in the United States Air Force for four years. He married Jean Bowman on August 7, 1963 in Greybull, Wyoming. She resides in Auburn. Leonard worked as a machinist at Zollner Piston in Fort Wayne for 31 years. After retiring from Zollner Piston, he worked as a master electrician for many years. Most recently Leonard owned and operated Len’s Lock Service from 2000 until 2019. During this time he served the community as a reserve officer with both the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Auburn Police Department for 42 years. He also served with the DeKalb County Civil Defense and the mounted DeKalb County Posse. Leonard served the Lord as a United Methodist minister for 20 years, the last 10 of which he served as the pastor at the Spencerville United Methodist Church. He also served as the chaplain of the Auburn Police Department for 10 years. He and Jean were the sextons of the Sedan Cemetery for 25 years.
He was a member of the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, Bluegrass Fiddle Association, lifetime member of the Auburn American Legion Post 97 and a member of the HAMM Radio Association since 1972. For 10 years he was a safety inspector for the DNR’s Hunter Education Program. Leonard was enjoyed listening to country and bluegrass music and traveling, especially bus trips.
Survivors include:
His wife of 59 years; Jean Shaffer of Auburn.
Son and daughter-in-law; Terry and Lisa Shaffer of Auburn.
Daughter and son-in-law; Lori and Don McDaniel of Auburn.
Four grandchildren and their spouses; Marissa and Andrew Jones, Kendra McDaniel, Jama and Nathan Young and Paige Shipe.
Six great grandchildren; Aiden Jones, Aubree Jones, Peyton McDaniel, Madilynn Young, Connor Young and Rhett Shipe.
Brother and sister-in-law; Doc and Carol Shaffer of Alamosa, Colorado.
Brother and sister-in-law; Mike and Phyllis Shaffer of Columbia City.
Brother; Blain Shaffer of Alamosa, Colorado.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and one brother; Tom Shaffer.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 875 South Wayne Street in Waterloo. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Kemerly officiating.
Burial will take place at Sedan Cemetery in Corunna.
Memorial donations may be given to the Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 1948 CR 28, Corunna, Indiana 46730.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fellerandclark.com and on our Facebook page at Feller and Clark Funeral Homes.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Feller and Clark Funeral Home in Waterloo.
