Gale Shaffer, 69, Rockford, died at 2:10 a.m. Aug. 18, 2010, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born June 30, 1941, in Celina, to John W. and Grayce Gibson Shaffer.

Surviving are two sons, Richard Shaffer and Terry Shaffer, both of Rockford; two stepsons, Bryan (Kelly) Sutton, Rockford, and Dan (Marcia) Sutton, Toledo; four stepdaughters, Crista (Keith) Heindel, Celina, Maralee (Bruce) Kochensparger, Van Wert, Ann (Mark) Esselstein, Rockford, and Elaine Sutton, Van Wert; a brother, Harold (Pat) Shaffer, Rockford; a sister, Ruth (Tom) Myers, Rockford; four grandchildren, 13 stepgrandchildren and a great-grandchild.

He was a 1959 graduate of Rockford High School. He worked at National Seal in Van Wert and Mercer Landmark in Rockford. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1292 and the American Legion Post #508, both of Rockford. He was also a member of the Rockford United Methodist Church.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Monday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, the Rev. Marvin Schwartz officiating. Burial will be at Mercer Memory Gardens Cemetery in Celina.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday and 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to the American Lung Association.

Condolences can be left at ketchamripley.com.