Donald R. Shaffner

August 10, 1940 – March 21, 2022

Don was born and raised in East St. Louis.  He graduated from East St. Louis High School and completed a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education with a Masters in Supervision at Illinois State Normal University.

Don was an educator since 1962. He had worked with Elementary, Junior, Senior High and Special Education Students.  He served as coordinator of off-campus education for the Granite City Public Schools for 21 years starting that program from scratch in 1973.  Don retired from public education in June 1994 after 32 years.

He served as President and was a member of the Granite City Rotary Club from 1973-1995 after which he joined the Collinsville Rotary Club.  He served 5yrs as the secretary to the Governor of District 6460.  He was Club Youth Exchange Chairperson District 6460 and Youth Exchange Chairperson.  He was Director for Central States Rotary Youth Exchange.  He had been the newsletter editor for the Collinsville Rotary Club since 1996 and was the District Governor in 1983-1984.  Don was a Paul Harries Fellow which was awarded by his Rotary club for his work in Rotary Youth Exchange.  He served European Correspondent for Central States Rotary which allowed him to travel to Europe and Asia six times as a representative to the European Youth Exchange meetings.

Don was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Collinsville and served on various committees including the church council for 6 years.  While on council, he developed the procedures for Liturgists which is used today.  In May 1995 he started the position of coordinator of volunteer ministries.

Don was the Campaign Chairperson for the 1986 Tri-City Area United Way and served 2 terms as Executive Member.  He served on committees for the Department of Rehabilitative Service, Executive member of the Tri-Cities Labor Council.  He served as a Division Leader for W.I.N.G.S. which is a fundraising project for St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Granite City.

Don was affiliated with many professional organizations: IL Federation of Teachers, Granite City Federation of Teachers, IL Vocational Assoc., Past President of the Southwest Area Council of Teachers, Chairperson of the Granite City Federation of Teachers, Secretary of the Metro-East Restaurant Assoc., Phi Delta Kappa, IL State Vocational Evaluation Team Member and Member of the Regional Superintendent of Schools Committee on School Violence.  He was also a member of the IL Retired Association and Madison County Chapter.

Don Served as Vice-President of the Twin Lakes Property Association.  In 1994 he completed 5yrs as President of the Pointe North Phase 11 Condo Association and neighborhood watch chairperson.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Donna (Scaturro) father John V. Shaffner, mother, Agnes B. (Schmulbach), a brother John V. (Jack) Shaffner and sister Dorothy Mae Cooper-Cusack.  He leaves behind a sister, Jeannine F. Domescik and many living nieces and nephews.

The last selfless act that Don requested was to donate his body to Washington University for research.  A celebration of life service will be held at St. John United Church of Christ located at 307 W. Clay St. in Collinsville on April 30, 2022, at 10 a.m.  Donations can be made in his name to: St. John's United Church of Christ.

Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Illinos is in charge of arrangements.

An online guestbook may be found at www.herrfuneral.com