John U. Shaffer

John U. Shaffer, 72, of Meadville, former reporter for 26 years with the Meadville Tribune, died Thursday, September 25, 1980, at the United Methodist Nursing Hospital after an extended illness.

Shaffer retired from the Tribune in 1969, having established a reputation as a dedicated reporter, whose specialty was coverage of Crawford County court news and news of courthouse offices.

He was also active in community activities, having served as past president of Associated Charities, past president of Meadville Fine Arts Assn., charter member of the John Brown Hertitage Assn. and of Meadville Chapter of American Assn. of Retired Persons.  For many years he had served as publicity chairman for the Crawford County Fair.

He was a member of Christ Church Episcopal; Crawford Masonic Lodge 234, Meadville and Solomon Royal Arch Chapter 191.  He was a former member of Meadville Rotary Club, the Round Table and Crawford County Historical Society.

As a slideline, he and his wife, the former Elizabeth Fleck, grew Christmas trees.

He came to Meadville from Renovo, Clinton County, where he had worked for the Daily Record, the Shaffer family newspaper.

He was born in Renovo September 30, 1907, son of John U. and Bertie Bennett Shaffer.

Survivors, in addition to his wife include a son, Thomas R. Shaffer of Levittown; two brothers, Charles Shaffer of Philadelphia and Bennett of Shaffer Hagerstown, MD; two grandchildren; two nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.