Josephine Rilla Shaffer, 86, of Curwensville and formerly of Colonial Courtyard in Clearfield, died Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013 at Marion Manor, Curwensville.
She was born Dec. 8, 1926 in Clearfield, a daughter of the late Leonard Sr. and Rilla (Hooven) Gearhart.
Mrs. Shaffer graduated from the Clearfield Area High School in 1944 and had worked in several clerical positions at various locations including Florida, the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and at Harbison Walker Refractory in Clearfield. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for family and friends and will always be remembered for her pies at Thanksgiving and hosting family holiday meals. She also truly enjoyed the role of being a Pastor’s wife, having served in the ministry with her husband for many years.
She is survived by two children, Barbara J. Westover and her husband, Leon of Curwensville and David P. Shaffer and his wife, Karen of Meadville; four grandchildren, Aaron D. Westover and his wife, Alyssa of Reading; Gretchen Rilla Westover of Ashburn, VA, Ben Shaffer and his wife, Cara of Haslet, TX and Brock Shaffer of Clearfield; and two great-granddaughters, Adeline and Olivia Shaffer of TX.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Robert E. Shaffer on Sept. 18, 2004 and whom she wed July 7, 1947 in Hagerstown, MD. She was also preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Surber, Mary Dague and Dorothy Lansberry; and two brothers, Leonard A. Gearhart Jr. and Robert B. Gearhart.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Kevin A Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield, with the Rev. Hiram B. Westover officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Joy Cemetery, Clearfield.
Friends will be received from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Monday and from 11 a.m. until the hour of services on Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Clearfield Foundation for Health – Hospice, P.O. Box 992, Clearfield, PA 16830.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.