Dale Shaffer

Dale Eugene Shaffer, 80, of 437 Jennings Avenue, died at 9:33 PM, Monday, November 16, 2009 at Salem Community Hospital. Born on April 17, 1929 in Salem, he was a son of William and Erma Shaffer. After graduation from Salem High School in 1947, he enlisted and spent four years in the USAF. He then earned MBA and MLS degrees from Ohio State and Kent State Universities. He was a member of the International Honorary Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. His first employment was with the General Electric Company. Then in 1959 he joined the faculty of Bethany College in West Virginia, teaching economics and business subjects. Thereafter, he served as director of learning resources and taught at Glenville State College in West Virginia, Ocean County College in New Jersey and Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. At each of theses campuses he built completely new library facilities. In 1965 he was one of the original five-member staff to plan and develop the new Ocean County College Campus at Toms River, New Jersey. Dale’s first book in the field of education was published in 1968 by Scarecrow Press (New York). Numerous other books, educational monographs and historical articles followed. During the passed two decades Shaffer devoted much of his time researching and writing Salem history, preserving it for future generations. His 27 books cover a wide spectrum of the city’s past – its people, buildings, events, industries, stores and nostalgia. Titles include: Salem – a Quaker City History; Salem, Ohio – Images of America (2 Volumes); Salem, Oho – Its Unique History; Salem Looks Back – 95 Historical Articles; Salem On My Mind – Articles of Historical Reference; Salem – Echoes of the Past; A Picture Postcard History of Salem; Salem Stories – A Backward Glance; More of the Salem Story, with photographs; Salem Remembered – A Picture Scrapbook; Salem As It Was – A Collection of Historical Articles and Photographs; Flashbacks of Salem History; Historical Firsts in Salem; Yesterday In Salem – A Collection of Nostalgic Articles; Views of Salem History; Reflections of Salem’s Past; Some Remembrances of Salem’s Past; Marbles – A Forgotten Part of Salem History; Tips on writing Local History; A Hundred Years Down the Road – 425 Questions for Salemites in 2106; Salem Bicentennial Flashbacks; Salem Bicentennial History Mural; Hope Cemetery – A Storied History; Salem Historical Timeline (2 Volumes). In addition to his books in the fields of history and education, he has written many articles for journal (such as TIMELINE, Jan-Feb 1999), newspapers and the internet. Through the years, hundreds of his historical articles have appeared in the Salem News, Yesteryears, Salem Scrapbook, Quaker Heritage, Lisbon Morning Journal and other local papers. His weekly column titled “Echoes of Columbiana County” appeared for 4 ½ years in the Sunday edition of the Lisbon Morning Journal newspaper. Shaffer established scholarship awards at Glenville State College and Ocean County College. Through the years he volunteered many hours helping develop the Salem Historical Museum. In the year 2000 he funded and built the “Shaffer-Bradley Memorial Chapel” at Hope Cemetery. He has received numerous community awards, and been inducted into the Salem Hall of Fame. IN years past he has been recognized in Who’s Who in America, Contemporary Authors, International Authors and Writes Who’s Who, and other such references. He received “Outstanding Achievement Awards” from the Ohio Historical Society for a number of his books on Salem history. In 1993 he was “Honorary Parade Marshall” for the Jubilee parade. In 1994 he received the “Community Builders Award” from the Salem Masonic Temple, Perry Lodge No. 185, was inducted into the Salem Hall of Fame and received special recognition from the Ohio House of Representatives, 120th General Assembly of Ohio. In 1998 the city of Salem awarded him a proclamation for Aug. 25, 1998 to be “Dale E. Shaffer Day,” the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce honored him as “Outstanding Citizen of the Year,” the US Congress awarded him a “Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition,” and the Ohio House of Representatives, 122nd General Assembly, awarded him a “Certificate of Outstanding Achievement.” In 2002 he was selected one of the “Men of the Year” by the YWCA. A surprise 80th birthday celebration was given on April 17, 2009 by Mayor Jerry Wolford and Judi Allio in honor of the 27 books he wrote on Salem history. He was also presented a Proclamation, naming April 17, 2009 as “Dale E. Shaffer Day.” Besides his parents Mr. Shaffer was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Robert (Joyce) Lutz, a sister, Thelma Bradley and a brother Glenn. Mr. Shaffer’s Burial will be held Friday, November 20, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made in Dale’s honor to the “Erma Shaffer Choir Fund” care of Salem First Christian Church 1151 Eat 6th Street, Salem, OH 44460 or the Salem Historical Museum 208 South Broadway, Salem, OH 44460. Friends may sign the guest register or send condolences online at www.brownfhonline.com. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Home.

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