Obituary of Ralph Shaffer

Ralph George Shaffer, 83, of Zion, Illinois, went peacefully to be with his Lord at his home on Friday, March 12, 2010. Ralph was born January 5, 1927 to Ralph and Gabrielle Shaffer in Waukegan, IL. He moved to Zion in 1933 and graduated from Zion-Benton Township High School in 1945. On August 16, 1946 he married the love of his life, Arlene Beth Noteboom, in Zion. Ralph and Arlene celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last summer. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children Kay (Dennis) Miller of Urbana, IL , Virginia Shaffer Scott of Waukegan, Ron (Debi) Shaffer of Gurnee and Steve (Susan) Shaffer of Grayslake. He was the very proud grandfather of ten grandchildren - Eric (Sarah), Andy (Michelle) and Doug (Andrea) Miller, Evy Scott Francisco and Glen Scott, Kris (Colleen), Jonathan, David (Jamie), Dan and Mike Shaffer. He is also survived by five great grandchildren - Mary and Ellie Miller, Alexander and Lance Francisco and Ciaran Shaffer. Ralph was a long time member of the Christ Community Church where he served as Sunday School Superintendent, head usher for many years, in addition to serving terms on the church board, helping with the youth organization, ushering for the Passion Play and taking part in work parties to Camp Zion in Door County. After his retirement he also volunteered his time to mow the church grounds for many years. He was always ready to help anyone whether it was changing a flat tire or shoveling their driveway. After high school he worked for the Zion Industries until 1955 and then worked for the Zion Auto Parts until 1967, when he began working for Johnson Outboards in Waukegan. Ralph retired from Johnson Outboards in 1989 where he served as the Credit and Accounts Receivable Manager. While working there, he graduated from the Advanced Management Institute at Lake Forest College. In 1982 Ralph received the Golden Deeds Award from the Zion Exchange Club for his years of service to the citizens of Zion and Lake County. He was instrumental in organizing a group of men who formed the nucleus of the Zion Volunteer Fire Department in 1950 and served with the department until 1979. The early volunteers and their wives raised funds to purchase the firemen's boots, coats, helmets and eventually alarm radios. They also worked to pass a tax referendum for purchasing the fire engines and other necessary equipment. After the devastating Zion Department Store fire on Feb. 6, 1954 that consumed much of downtown Zion, he saw the need for a good mutual aid system and worked on a committee to organize the first mutual aid system in Lake County. On April 11,1959 the Zion Fire Department called on this mutual aid organization to help fight the Zion College Building fire that destroyed the facilities of the Christian Catholic Church (Now Christ Community Church). Ralph served with the department from 1950 until 1978 and held every rank in the Zion Fire Department rising eventually to become the last Volunteer Fire Chief. He was instrumental in the transition to a paid fire department for the City of Zion and the building of the second fire station on the west side. He also helped to organize the Lake County Fire Chief's Association for which he served as secretary and later as an honorary member. This organization developed into a very active organization, which includes the Fire Chief's Hazard Material Team, Lake County Divers and Lake County Trench Rescue Team. He was a member and officer of the Lake County Fireman's Association, a member of the Illinois Firemen's Chief Association and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He attended the Fire Training Institute at the University of Illinois. Upon his retirement from active service with the Zion Fire Department in 1978, he continued to serve the City of Zion as a member and eventually chairman of the Zion Fire and Police Commission. He was awarded the Key to the City for his service to the city on the commission. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Thomas and Howard Shaffer, David, Eugene, Henry and Robert Johnson, his step father Lewis Johnson, his sisters Joyce Johnson Self and Sadie Johnson Lewis. Ralph is also is survived by his sister Jeanne (Paul) Raper of Tampa, Florida, and brothers Ralph Johnson of Centerville, Iowa, Richard Johnson of New Lebanon, Ohio, and Bill (Elaine) Johnson of Enon, Ohio. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. The funeral service will follow at 2 PM at the church with Pastor Jon Wiziarde and Pastor Ken Langley officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Camp Zion Advance Fund in care of Christ Community Church.