Marian Etta Thompson Schaffner, 93, formerly of Falls Creek, died Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Christ the King Manor.
She was born March 31, 1923 in Sheakleyville, Pa., to the Rev. Homer Henry Thompson and Bernice (Campbell) Thompson.
She graduated from Grove City High School in 1940 and Grove City College in 1944 with majors in English and French. She taught English in Coudersport and Brockway for three years.
She married R. Keith Schaffner, and he preceded her in death in 2015. They were married for 70 years.
She, along with her husband, owned and operated the Schaffner’s Furniture Store in Falls Creek, a family-owned business for 109 years.
She was past president of Falls Creek Women’s Club and of the Jefferson County Women’s Club. She also won the local Mrs. America Contest in the 1960’s.
She has always been interested in genealogy and at age 81, she published two books, Descendants of Heinrich Schaffner and Descendants of Peter Wilson.
Her talents of cooking, organizing and decorating surpassed many, even at age 90!
She is survived by three children, including her two daughters, Peggy Church (Tom) of Wichita, Kan., and Sally Vogel (Vic) of Lewisburg, and her son, Tom Schaffner of Treasure Lake.
She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Becky Phelps (Tommy) and Julia Shetlar (Martin), both of Wichita, Kan., Chris Vogel (Jess) of Canonsburg and Heather Williams (Steve) of Jacksonville, Fla., and her 10 great-grandchildren Abbey, Carley, Grant, Isaac, Eli, Alana, Harper, Lainey, Kade and Viviaan; her nephew, Neil (Libby) Shindledecker of DuBois; and other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, the Rev Herb Thompson; and her sister, Ruth Shindledecker Davis.
There will be no public visitation.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the Falls Creek United Methodist Church with her son-in-law, the Rev Tom Church officiating.
Burial will be at Morningside Cemetery in DuBois.
Memorials may be given to Falls Creek United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 298, Falls Creek, PA 15840 or Christ the King Manor, 1100 Long Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.
The Goble-Baronick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements  Online condolences can be made to www.gbfuneralhome.com.
