12:12 p.m. EST, January 4, 2012
James Joseph Shaffer, 67, died after an extended illness Wednesday, Dec. 28. He was a native of Pennsylvania born March 26, 1944, to the late Clifton and Mary Shaffer. He was the loving husband of Patricia Blackburn Shaffer for 42 years, a retiree of the VA Medical Center, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy.  He was a very patriotic person and loved NASCAR and football. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, James Daniel “Danny” Shaffer and wife Heather, and Gregory Alan Shaffer; the apple of his eye, his granddaughter Amanda; and a brother, John Shaffer.  He was laid to rest in Camp Nelson National Cemetery on Friday, Dec. 30, with full military honors.