BENTON – Virgil R. Shaffer, 94, of Wenatchee, Washington, formerly of Benton, died Dec. 11, 2016, in Central Washington Hospital, following a brief illness.
He was born Nov. 5, 1922, in Benton, the son of Earl and Birdie (Overturf) Shaffer and attended Benton High School. In 1922, he married Louisa Wayman in Benton.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and medic, having been involved in the battles at Ardennes, France, Rhineland, Germany, and Central Europe. Upon his discharge in 1945, he returned to Benton and rejoined his wife and oldest daughter, Patti.
After the war, his first job was delivering milk, and then he was employed in the local coal mines for three years. He then was employed with the Jewel Tea Co., distributing the company's products.
In 1964, the family moved to the St. Louis area, where Virgil owned and operated his Jewel Tea route until retiring in 1987. Following retirement, he and his wife relocated to Wenatchee, Washington, to be closer to their family, and he resided there until his death.
His wife, Louisa, preceded him in death on Sept. 10, 2012.
He and his family enjoyed fellowship with a body of nondenominational Christians.
Virgil also was a member of American Legion Post 280 in Benton for 72 years.
Survivors include four daughters, Patti Precht of Chelan, Washington, Sheri Zimmerman of Wenatchee, Washington, Vicki Hicks of Denton, Texas, and Debbie Farmer of North Bend, Washington; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Chapel in Wenatchee, Washington. Family graveside services, including military honors, will follow in Fraternal Cemetery in Chelan, Washington.
