Harley G. Shaffer, 88, of Rossville, died at 5:45 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, at I.U. Heath Arnett, Lafayette.
Born Aug. 20, 1923, near Geetingsville, he was the son of the late Eldo M. and L. Opal (Lauchner) Shaffer.
He married Billie Albright on July 27, 1950, and she preceded him in death on Aug. 9, 1984. He then married Nondas (Luper) Gochenour on Nov. 26, 1988, and she survives.
Mr. Shaffer was a 1942 graduate of Rossville High School. He had lived near Geetingsville for 25 years, near Colfax for 36 years and in Rossville since 1988. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served from 1943-1946 during World War II near London, England. Mr. Shaffer was a process inspector for Allison Transmission Division of GMC in Indianapolis for 30 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of Geetingsville Presbyterian Church and Allison 944 Retiree Club in Indianapolis.
Harley had a great interest in American History and the following is an excerpt from an interview about his World War II experience on D-Day (June 6, 1944):
"We knew something was brewing," explained Harley Shaffer of Rossville. "But we didn't ask questions. It was a saying, 'Loose lips sink ships.'" Shaffer was assigned to a transport support group near London. It was their responsibility to program and schedule supplies and troops to the southern ports at a precise time. "England was in a black-out, and most travel was done at night," he explained. "Accuracy was vital after the invasion so our troops could have supply and replacements when needed. "For three weeks we were on 24-hour duty." One of those days stood out from the rest. "On D-Day morning I was awakened about daybreak with air traffic overhead," he explained. "The sky was completely covered with bombers and fighter planes. It was a sight I'll always remember."
Surviving are his wife, Nondas L. Shaffer of Rossville; son, Gerald H. (Merianne) Shaffer of Elkhart; 2 stepdaughters, Kathleen K. (Sam) Goodwin of Avon and Joyce A. (Jerry) McElroy of Frankfort; 1 granddaughter, Katherine Shaffer. He was preceded in death by wife, Billie, 2 brothers, 3 sisters and son, Larry E. Shaffer, in 2001.
Services will be noon Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, at the Green Lawn Cemetery Chapel, Pastor Mae Leech officiating. Friends may call there 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Green Lawn Cemetery. At his request, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Geetingsville Presbyterian Church or charity of choice .
Family Members
Parents
Eldo Milton Shaffer
1884–1956
Opal Leslie Lauchner Shaffer
1890–1968
Spouses
Billie Albright Shaffer
1920–1984
Nondas L. Luper Shaffer
1924–2015
Siblings
Herbert Eldo Shaffer
1910–1943
Vivian Alice Shaffer DeBoy
1914–1997
Evelyn Ruth Shaffer Miller
1915–2004
Lieut Harold Robert Shaffer
1921–1944
Roselyn Ione Shaffer Fagala
1928–2009
