Gene G. Shaffer of Mercer died on Sunday, March 20, 2016, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 86.

He was born on Nov. 3, 1929 in Kinsman, a son of Gladys (Wall) and Forrest Shaffer.

Gene was a 1947 graduate of the former Kinsman High School.

As a young man, Gene worked at his grandfather's gas station.

He attended Youngstown College and Phoenix College in Arizona.

Gene worked for the New York Railroad in Andover and Hubbard.

On July 5, 1952, he married Patricia E. Todd. She died Aug. 19, 2007.

After having owned and operated a tavern in Bloomfield and working for Valley Mould and Iron of Hubbard, he found himself working for First National Bank of Kinsman from 1964 until he transferred to First National Bank in Glendale, Ariz.

In 1971 he moved back to Kinsman and began selling insurance, buying the agency in 1975, until he retired in 1995 after serving Kinsman for more than 25 years.

Gene was one that was not idle and after retiring he worked for Sears as a sales assistant.

He built two homes, enjoyed nature, was a beekeeper and, for a short while, was a police officer.

Formerly a longtime member of Kinsman United Methodist Church, he was a member of First United Methodist Church, Sharon, serving as communion steward.

Gene was past master of Gustavus Lodge 442 of Free and Accepted Masons; former fire chief of Kinsman Volunteer Fire Department; and a founding member of both Kinsman Rotary Club and Kinsman Merchant Association. He served as a Kinsman Township trustee and a Joseph Badger School Board member.

He enjoyed crossword puzzles and tavern puzzles and was a master at making chocolate cakes and coming up with scavenger hunts for his grandchildren's presents.

He won many a horseshoe tournament, managed softball teams and enjoyed fishing, trapping and hunting.

In addition to his parents and his first wife, Patricia E. Shaffer, Gene was preceded in death by an infant son, Terry Scott Shaffer; and a brother, Robert Shaffer.

Survivors include his wife of the last five years, Louella (Moyer) Moore-Shaffer, whom he married on May 29, 2010; three children, Pattijean (Craig) Stull of Sharon; Pamela (Howard) Hugo of Williamsfield, Ohio; and Todd A. (Angela) Shaffer of Kinsman; two half sisters, Mary Shaffer of Vienna, Ohio; and Carol Rodgers of Vernon, Ohio; and 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

SHAFFER

Gene G., 86, of Mercer.

Calling hours: 10 a.m. to time of Saturday (3-26-16) in BAUMGARD- NER FUNERAL HOME and CREMA- TORY, 8569 Main St., Kinsman. An online guestbook is available at www.baumgardnerfuneralhomes. com

Memorial service: 1 p.m. Satur- day with Masonic service. The Rev. Terry G. Shaffer will officiate.