11/21/2015
Larry Lawrence Shaffer, 83, of Peoria passed away at 10:06 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, at Lutheran Hillside Village Care Center.
Larry was born on April 6, 1932, in Union, Iowa, to the late Clifton and Ruth (Bennett) Shaffer. He attended school in his hometown of Knoxville, Iowa, forming such close friendships with his classmates that they endured to this day.
After graduating in 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Aimee Joan Price. Together they happily raised four children until her death in December 1979. In 1982, he married Anne-Louise Serafin in Bourbonnais, Ill. She survives.
He is also survived by four children, Leslie Ann (Blair) Picard of Pingree Grove, Ill., Martin (Brenda) Shaffer of Lexington, S.C., Nancy (Tom) Scorby of St. Charles, Ill., and Eric (Staci) Shaffer of Tampico, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Aimee (Benjamin Dorian) Picard, Charlotte (Charles Williamson) Picard, Alexander Picard, Carol Anne Shaffer, Emily Scorby, Sam Scorby, Kennedi Shaffer, and Price Shaffer; two brothers, Lowell Shaffer of Clive, Iowa, and Leslie Shaffer of Gardner, Kans.; and seven nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Lyle Shaffer.
When Larry was born, his mother gifted the world with an eternal optimist who always loved life, lifted our spirits with his boundless enthusiasm, and amazed us with his sense of adventure. Whenever Larry was present, you were happy because he gave you no other choice!
He was the perfect sales person, who loved retail and worked for various shoe companies. He also traveled the country for Sears Roebuck, overseeing the home furnishing departments and making recommendations for “doing things better.” He eventually arrived at the Sears Tower in Chicago to manage and direct the home furnishing departments throughout the nation. Larry was always the vice-president’s “go to” guy. If something had to get done, you called for Shaffer.
After he retired, he and Anne-Louise reveled in the beauty of Arizona for many years.
Larry enjoyed sports, especially golf. Cars were a personal passion. He loved to travel and was always a vital part of the adventure called life. Whether he was in a car, an RV, an airplane, or on a ship, there was always something new just around the bend; and it had to be seen.
The most cherished times in his life were the moments spent with his grandchildren and nieces and nephews. The little ones brought out his joy, tenderness, and laughter.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, at St. Ann Catholic Church. Father Donald Roszkowski will officiate.
There will be no visitation. Larry has donated his body to science and cremation rites will be accorded.
The burial of ashes will be in Maternity BVM Cemetery in Bourbonnais, Ill., at a later date. Wright
& Salmon Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.