Geroge Robert Shaffer

George Robert Shaffer

Pavia

    George Robert Shaffer, age 91, of Pavia, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, at Homewood at Martinsburg.

    He was born March 10, 1926, in Pavia, a son of the late Harry and Minnie (Wentz) Shaffer and was twice married, first on March 25, 1950, to Barbara Lou Langham who preceded him in death on Dec. 12, 1983, then to Doris Beachley Hahn on Feb. 1, 1988.

    He is survived by his wife of Pavia; three children, George Jr. and wife, Joy, of Manassas, Va.; Marial Stone and husband, Charles, of Pavia; Sheryl McDonald and husband, Derek, of Pavia; four step children: David Hahn, of Boulder, Colo.; Stephen Hahn, of Takoma Park, Md.; Donna Hahn, of Bedford; and Mark Hahn, of Pavia; four grandchildren: Denise Collins, Erica Murphy, Craig Stone, and Christopher McDonald; five step grandchildren: Spencer, Brett, William, Maegan, and Melissa Hahn; and 13 great-grandchildren.

    He was preceded in death by brothers, William Blair and infant Charles Anson; a sister, Ida Ruth; and a nephew, Joseph Harry Shaffer.

    Mr. Shaffer was a life member of the Mt. Zion Church of Pavia. He was president of the Pavia Cemetery Association. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a radio operator with the 20th Air Force, 314th Bomb Wing, 29th Bomb Group. His decorations included a Distinguished Unit Badge, the Air Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with two bronze stars. Mr. Shaffer was the last surviving crew member of the B29 Mission Belle.

    Mr. Shaffer was a graduate of Bedford High School Class of 1944 and of Central Radio and Television Schools, Kansas City, MO class of 1947. He earned as Associate degree from Frederick Community College, a Bachelor’s degree from Hood College, and a Master’s degree from Frostburg State University.

    His working career spanned over 40 years starting in 1947 with radio station WRTA in Altoona and from 1954 until his retirement in 1988 with AT&T at various locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.

    Mr. Shaffer was a former Pavia Township Supervisor and past president of the Bedford County Township Officials Association. He was proud of his birthplace and the dedicated patriotism of the community over the past century. Mr. Shaffer enjoyed researching local history and was instrumental in the publication of the two books of Pavia history. He will be remembered for changing the township name from Union to Pavia in the 1993 election.

    Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 24, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Zion Reformed Church of Pavia with Pastor Timothy Mock officiating. Burial to follow in the Pavia Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Mt. Zion Reformed Church of Pavia on Saturday, Dec. 23, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Those wishing may make contributions to the Pavia Cemetery Association, 129 Queen Road, Imler, PA 16655 in his memory. Arrangements by J. Edward Blackburn Funeral Home.

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