George Blaine Shaffer passed away peacefully at age 77 on August 30, 2017 at Aldersgate Village in Topeka, Kansas. Blaine was born May 27, 1940 on a farm near Corning, Kansas to George and Alvina Aeschliman Shaffer.
Blaine was a graduate of Fairview High School, Highland Community Junior College (Associate of Arts 1960), the University of Kansas (Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics 1962), Emporia State University (Master of Science Degree 1968), and attended Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. He taught mathematics at Nortonville, Kansas High School, Highland Community College, and Hiawatha High Schools. He also taught mathematics at the Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth for many years. His 47 years in education also included being a school counselor at Midway/Denton and Jackson Heights High Schools. He was an ordained Baptist minister and served the Sabetha Baptist Church for 12 years, and Hamlin Baptist Church for 30 years.
In high school, Blaine played football and ran the quarter mile in track, and was a member of Glee Club and FFA. He also ran track in college, and tried out for the Cincinnati Reds.
While attending KU, Blaine was a member of the Acacia Fraternity. While teaching at Nortonville, he sang with the Atchison Rivermen Chorus. He was a member of the National Education Association and Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators. He helped out with FCA, National Honor Society, and was the boys golf coach while at Hiawatha High School.
Blaine was united in marriage to Jeanette Weinbrenner on June 9, 1968 in Hillsboro, Kansas. She survives. They made their home in Hiawatha, Kansas for 37 years. Survivors include a daughter Gretchen Martin (Paul) of South Elgin, Illinois; and a son, Gregg Shaffer (Crystal) of Topeka, and four grandchildren; Geordan Shaffer, Gerod Shaffer, Ryan Martin, and Lauren Martin. He is also survived by two sisters; Carol Shaffer of Topeka, and Diane Weatherwax (David) of Parker, Colorado; as well as his nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Blaine enjoyed the family farm, antique cars, barbershop quartets, horseshoes, KU sports, and he loved teaching and his students. He enjoyed his family and friends; and most of all, he adored his grandchildren.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Cremation will follow the service and private inurnment will take place at Sabetha, Kansas at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gage Park Baptist Church, 3601 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66604.
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