Rex Shaffer, 89 of Prospect, died Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Delaware Court Healthcare Center. He was born April 10, 1936 in Mt. Gilead to the late Wilbur "Pat" and M. Irene (Weaver) Sullivan. He was also preceded in death by his stepfather, Elwood Shaffer, who helped raise him; his wife, Nancy Jo (Wainfor) Shaffer, whom he married November 19, 1988 in the Prospect United Methodist Church, and she died August 29, 2022; two sisters, Sherry Seckel, Mary Daniels, and a brother-in-law, George Daniels.
He was a 1954 graduate of Mt. Gilead High School. Rex owned and operated Shaffer's IGA in Prospect for 30 years. Before that, he had worked at the lumber yard in Mt. Gilead. He had also worked for Dickerson Foods in the meat processing plant in Marion for 19 years and worked in construction for 5 years. But if you asked Rex what his most enjoyable job was, he would tell you it was the 50 years he was a farmer.
Among his favorite pastimes, he enjoyed hunting, boating, camping, horseback riding and snowmobiling.
He was a member of the former Prospect Lodge #444 F&AM where he was a Past Master, the current Hiram Lodge #18 in Delaware, Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, Aladdin
Shriners Hospital, and the Prospect Lions Club. Rex had served on the Prospect Sunswim Pool board as well as numerous committees for the Prospect United Methodist Church. He also served on the Residential Home Association of Marion for 30 years, served the Prospect Volunteer Fire Department and Marion County Auxiliary.
He is survived by children, Ron (Cheryl) Shaffer, Mt. Gilead; Randy Shaffer, Marion; Debbie Tudor, Mt. Gilead; Beth (John) Boehm, Radnor; Brian (Kim) Retterer, Richwood, Brent (Randi) Retterer, Prospect; sisters, Patricia (Raymond) Potter, Las Vegas; Barbara Payne, Florida; Christina Marhover, Westerville; brother-in-law, James Seckel, Mt. Gilead; sister-in-law, Connie Crist, Delaware; grandchildren, Christopher Tudor, Devin Shaffer, Jeremy Boehm, Annie Boehm, Dustin Retterer, Joshua Retterer Rachael Johnson, Colton Retterer, Cassandra Converse, Jerrod Retterer; great grandchildren: Ella Retterer, Sidney Shaffer, Shelby Shaffer, Eleanor Shaffer, Owen Retterer, Colby Converse, Laramie Converse; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family would like to thank Delaware Court and Ohio Health Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during Rex's stay.
Funeral services will be Monday, November 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, Richwood with Pastor Joseph Rhea officiating. Burial will follow in Prospect Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 2 to 4 PM at the funeral home in Richwood where a Masonic Service conducted by the brethren of Hiram Lodge #18 will be held at 4:00 PM.
Published by Marion County Now on Nov. 4, 2025.