John M. Shaeffer

John M. Shaeffer, 81, of Lancaster, PA, passed away on May 8, 2026. He was born on January 5, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, to John R. and Elizabeth C. Shaeffer.

John is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Jennifer George of Landisville, PA, and Michelle Kiernan of Lithia, FL; grandchildren, Brittany Ballard and Brody Kiernan of Lithia, FL, Tyler and Tiffany George of Landisville, PA; great-grandchildren Beckett and Whitley; sisters, Barbara Shaeffer of Rydal, PA, and Kathleen Murphy of Dallas, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Florence Burkhardt of Philadelphia, PA.

John graduated as Magna Cum Laude from LaSalle University and earned his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He proudly served as an officer in the United States Navy, achieving the rank of Commander and earning an Honorable Accommodation as a Vietnam War Veteran. He worked as the Director of Finance at Temple University and as Vice President of Finance and Operations at Elizabethtown College. He concluded his career as Parish Manager at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lancaster, PA.

During his life, John was a coach and board member for various athletic associations, served as the President of the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Board of Trustees at St. Leo's. John was an avid tennis player at the Hempfield Area Recreation Center and the Lancaster Tennis and Yacht Club, where his team earned national recognition.

John will be remembered for his love of family and as a dear friend, for his unselfish, loving nature of putting others before himself, his readiness to smile, his quick wit, his unwavering faith, his brilliant mind, his uncanny memory, his storytelling abilities, his extreme passion for Philadelphia sports, and his inspiring, positive attitude of never giving up hope.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10:00 am, followed by A Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Leo the Great Church, 2427 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601. Interment will be held at Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster, PA.