Passing the Century Mark

Passing the Century Mark

   by Perry Backus

John Shaffner says he doesn't feel like he's about to turn 100, "But I guess those charts don't lie".  The charts says Sept. 18, 1887, in Harrisburg, PA., the fourth child of six children.  His firm handshake, clear blue eyes and immaculate home don't give the visitor any idea this man has witnessed a century of events.  "I really didn't start to slow down until the last two years," he says, with a smile.  "I do tire a little bit easier now."  Shaffner is no stranger to hard work and it's that he claims has added years to his life.....
(I don't know which paper the interview is in--I suspect the Dillon Tribune)

The family hosted an open house for his birthday, at his home on Saturday, September 19th, 1987.

The napkin from the birthday party celebrating 100 years of life!

And then there were family pictures at Don & Helen Shaffner's:

John F. Shaffner

100 years old with sparkling blue eyes!

The oldest & the youngest

Grandpa Shaffner & Megan Shaffner

Sons, spouses and daughter-in law

Dean Shaffner, John F. Shaffner, Don Shaffner

Eloise Shaffner, Stella Shaffner Thomas, Helen Shaffner

Grandchildren

Bob, Geoffrey & John Shaffner

Sydney, Gail & Grandpa Shaffner & Donnee Stibal

The grandchildren & spouses

Leroy Gabel, Rene & Bob Shaffner, Carol & Geoffery Shaffner, Fred Stibal

Sydney Gabel, Gail Kuntz, Grandpa Shaffner, Donnee Stibal

Rick Kuntz, John Shaffner

The Great Grandchildren

Lori Stibal, Megan Shaffner, Greg Gabel, Grandpa Shaffner, Annie Gabel, Lynda Stibal

Josh & Luke Shaffner & Courtney Shaffner

Grand Nephews

Doug Shaffner, Grandpa Shaffner, Barry Sauer

Lynn Sauer, Grandpa Shaffner & Barry Sauer

First Cousins with Grandpa Shaffner

Lester Kurtz, Bob Latimer, Grandpa Shaffner, Bruce Kurtz

George Kurtz, Dean Shaffner, Freda Walker & Don Shaffner

First Cousins with Spouses

George & Thelma Kurtz, Dean & Eloise Shaffner, Don & Helen Shaffner, Stella & Jack Thomas

Bruce Kurtz, Jack & Freda Walker, Grandpa Shaffner, Ruth & Bob Latimer & Lester Kurtz

The Shaffner Family With Grandpa Shaffner

Sons, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren

In Memory of

Donnee Shaffner Stibal

Thank you Donnee for working with Grandpa to preserve our family history!