Beaverton Historical Society
Gladwin County Obituary/Death Notice
 
John Shaffer

Judge John C. Shaffer Dies suddenly At Home

   Former Circuit Judge John C. Shaffer, 80, died suddenly at his home, at 310 N. Bowery Ave., Monday evening, about 6:45 o'clock, just a few hours after returning from Florida. Services will be Thursday forenoon at 11 o'clock. Apparently in good health, Judge Shaffer and his sister, Mrs. Donna Williams, had arrived in Detroit Monday afternoon by airline, after vacationing in Florida. They came from Detroit by automobile and stopped enroute for supper. Reaching their home here, they unpacked and Judge Shaffer said he felt a little tired and was going to rest for a while and went into the bedroom. Mrs. Williams found him a short time later in bed. The physician called said he died of a stroke.

   A lifelong resident of Gladwin, Judge Shaffer was born Aug. 21, 1888, in Gladwin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Shaffer. He graduated from Gladwin High School in 1904, and attended Ferris Institute and Assumption College before graduating from the University of Michigan law school. He began his pratice of law here in 1910 following his graduation. In 1914, he was named Gladwin County prosecuting attorney, served in the armed forces in World War I and returned after the war and resumed his duties as prosecuting attorney, a post he held for 16 years. He was probate judge form 1932 to 1935, and also served as city attorney for several years.

   Judge Shaffer was elected circuit judge of the 34th Judicial Circuit in 1936 and was sworn into that office on Dec. 5 of that year. He was judge of the circuit, comprised of Gladwin, Arenac, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Crawford and Otsego counties, for 23 years retiring at the end of 1959. A highly respected attorney and jurist by his colleagues and friends, he presided over many important trials both, in his own circuit and outside as a visiting judge.

   Judge Shaffer was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Michigan Bar Association, He was never married. Survivors are a sister, Mrs. Donna M. Williams, who made her home with him; a nephew, John T. Williams, of West Lafayette, Ind.; and a cousin, Miss Blanche LeStrange of Mt. Pleasant. The Rev. Fr. Edward Trombley will officiate at the services at Sacred Heart Church, Gladwin, at 11:00 a.m. Thursday. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery. A rosary will be read tonight (Wednesday) at the Hall Funeral Home.

 
 
Personal Information
Death Date
Burial/Final Location
Service
04/14/1969
Highland Cemetery, Gladwin, MI
MI Sgt. Medical Dept. WWI
 
Publication Information
Pub. Date
Publication
Pub. Page
04/16/1969
Gladwin County Record, Gladwin, MI
P:1 C:1
 
Transcription Information
Date
Transcribed by
Source Media
January 2005
Tom Ladner
Microfilm
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