Kay Shaffer

Kay Shaffer, 63, of Rockford, Ohio, died at 5:50 a.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.  She had been battling cancer the past year.  She was born in Celina, Ohio, on March 10, 1954, to Robert and Edith (Krugh) Gillespie, both who have preceded her in death.  She graduated from Celina High School in the Class of 1972, and went on to attend Miami University.  On July 21, 1991, she married Bruce P. Shaffer, who survives in Rockford.  Kay began working at First Financial Bank as a teller.  She worked at numerous branches as she worked her way up through all the positions she held, retiring after 36 years, from the Main Branch in Celina, where she held the position of Security Officer and Assistant Vice President.  She had lived her entire life in the area and attended Mendon United Methodist Church.  She was very creative in making things—crafts of all kinds, and she loved garage saling.  She was very organized and punctual in everything she did, including all her planning, especially on family vacations.  She loved to travel as much as she could, even if it was for just a weekend.

Surviving are her husband, Bruce, of Rockford; her 6 children:  Eric Shaffer of Van Wert, Ohio; Hope (Scott) Redding, also of Rockford; Aaron Arnold of Celina, Ohio; Gina Now of Troy, Ohio; Holly (Audrey) Shaffer of Middlepoint, Ohio; and Debra Shaffer of West Milton, Ohio; and 21 grandchildren.  Two brothers survive:  Don (Susan) Gillespie of Columbus, Ohio and Paul (Judy) Gillespie of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio, with Pastor Rob Glenn officiating.  Burial will follow at Tomlinson Cemetery, corner of Mendon Road and Mercer-Van Wert County Line Road.    Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., and on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.  Memorials may be directed to the Cancer Association of Mercer County, Celina, Ohio.  Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.