Frank Kenneth Shaffer's Obituary
Frank Kenneth ShaffterAn American hero, Frank Kenneth Shaffer died quietly at the home of his granddaughter on March 26, 2003. He was born April 20, 1920 in Seabrook, Maryland into a family with nine other siblings; five brothers, a sister, 2 half-brothers and a half-sister. Frank was a veteran of World War II. Shortly after his 24th birthday, he became one of the 14 survivors of the D-Day landing out of his unit of 230 men. For his service to the country he loved, he received the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, the Presidential Unit Citation and 2 French Medals. After the war, he moved to his new home in Tacoma, Washington where he lived the remainder of his life pursuing passions in horticulture, travel, dancing, reading, lapidary and gun collecting. He is survived by one stepbrother, Emery Ellis, and Emery's wife, Marian, his beloved stepdaughter, Anne Connery and her husband Ray, Frank's hunting partner for many years, and step-son Ken Baldwin and his wife Joyce. His posterity continues in 7 grandchildren and their partners, including Daryl Johnson and her husband Eric, and Timora Cereghino and her husband Steve. 17 great-grandchildren, two of whom are married, 3 great-great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, remember Frank. His favorite niece, Rosemary Watts, and her husband John, whom he called "Junior," and their daughter Cindy Clapper "The Keeper," a newly found and loved cousin, Jody Kozloff, his dear friends of over 40 years who shared his passion for flowers and guns, Betty and Woody Budil and many other friends and neighbors are sharing their grief.He will join the two ladies he loved, traveled and danced with, Mabel Shaffer and Jessie Atkins, at Mountain View Memorial Park in Tacoma. His friends and family will gather to honor him and celebrate his life at his church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 101 East 38th Street in Tacoma at 1PM on Wednesday April 2, 2003. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Franciscan Hospice c/o Franciscan Foundation for Health Care, PO Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401.
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