C. Kenneth ‘Ken’ Shaffer 1931-2025

Ken was born Nov. 28, 1931, the son of the late Emmett C. Shaffer and Agnes McCabe Shaffer, and was a lifelong area resident.

Ken graduated from South High School in January 1951, where he excelled in football, baseball and basketball, and was a member of the 1950 North-South All-Star football team. He was also the sports editor of the South High School Newspaper, “The Voice.”

Soon after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served his country in the Korean War. Ken received the Korean War Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters.

Ken graduated from Youngstown State University in 1959 and started his career in the steel industry at the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company / LTV Steel Corporate Headquarters. It was at the Sheet & Tube corporate office in Boardman he met his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara McClay Shaffer. They were married June 6, 1959. He worked in the industry for 30 years before retiring in 1986 as a senior purchasing manager.

Ken was the proud father of seven children, all born within an 11-year period. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, and he loved attending every one of their events he could with his wife. He loved the title of “Pop Pop” bestowed upon him by his grandchildren.

His hobbies included music, investments, dancing, racquetball, golf, gardening and playing cards. In his later years, one of the highlights of his day was “breakfast club” at both the Golden Dawn and Patsy’s, where he met many cherished and lifelong friends.

He was a devout member of the Youngstown YMCA for over 70 years; a fraternal member of the Saxon Club, Branch 30; VFW Post 93; the Saxon Club Bocce League; and St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Canfield.

Ken is survived by daughters, Terri (Walter) Solomon of Cincinnati, Carolyn Shaffer of Canfield, Barb (Mario) Dilullo of Boardman and Christine (Todd) Elliott of Cincinnati; sons, Charles “C.K.” (Marie) Shaffer of Austintown and Scott (Amy) Shaffer of Fort Thomas, Kentucky; a sister-in-law, Jayne (Michael) Terlecky of Massillon; grandchildren, Jacob (Mimi) Solomon, Joshua Shaffer Solomon, Michael Solomon, Justin Shaffer, Mario (Mariah) Dilullo, Dominic Dilullo, Lucas McClay Arvidson, Jamie Arvidson, Abby (Austin) Elliott, T.C. Elliott, J.P. Shaffer, Lyla Shaffer and Emma Claire Shaffer; and his great-granddaughter, Molly Solomon.

Besides his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara, who passed away June 18, 2021; a daughter, Maggie Arvidson; twin grandchildren, Corrine and Charlie Shaffer; sisters, Millicent Conrecode and Nelma (the late Vince) Leslie; a brother, Emmett C. (the late Florence) Shaffer; sisters-in-law, MaryAnn (the late Victor) Muncy and Kathleen (the late Clyde) Jordan; brother-in-law, John (the late Barb) McClay; and several nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated by the Very Reverend John-Michael Lavelle at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025 at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Canfield.

Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 50 Warner Road, Hubbard, OH 44425; or Mercy Health Hospice of the Valley, 7676 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

The Shaffer family would like to extend a very special and heartfelt thank you to the incredible staff at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department and the Youngstown VA Clinic, as well as Mercy Health Hospice of the Valley, for their exceptional care and compassion.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown. Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to share this obituary and to send condolences to Ken’s family.

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