Helen L. Sheaffer

Helen passed away among family January 28th at the age of 103 following a fulfilling life. Helen and her Husband, Dr. John J. Sheaffer, D.D.S. lived in New Holland where a romance of 52 years started with an arranged trip from St. Stephen church to Philadelphia in a roadster with a rumble seat and leaky roof. Helen grew up in Osterberg, Bedford County. She is predeceased by a brother Charles W. Jr. and her parents, Charles and Jessie Kauffman Shaffer. Her father operated a country general store and her mother was the postmistress. As an accomplished pianist, she spent her pen money on sheet music when traveling to the town of Claysburg. Helen loved to dance, and enjoyed sharing the Charleston! She graduated from East St. Clair High School, received her bachelor degree from Hood College and an advanced certificate from Philadelphia College of Social Work. Following her education she was a social worker in Lewistown and Philadelphia. Following John’s graduation, they returned to New Holland where they opened practices located at 100 East Main Street and in Terre Hill.

In the following year John was drafted into the Army Air Corp and they were stationed at Mitchell Field in New York. Following the Second World War, they returned with a young family and practiced in New Holland for forty years.

Helen and John retired to the family farm near Farmersville, eventually moving to Brethren Village where Helen resided for over 25 years. Helen’s family includes three children, Brenda Sheaffer Hillard (married to Ray L. Hillard, Lancaster, PA), Dr. John Sheaffer (married to Sharon McDowell Sheaffer, Ephrata, PA), and J. Steven Sheaffer (married to Clare Weaver Sheaffer, Ephrata, PA). Helen and John loved seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, nephew Reid Harnish Sheaffer, and nieces Beth Lampinen and Jan Shaffer.

Helen will be missed by family, friends and the special extended family at Brethren Village.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on March 4, 2017 at Brethren Village Chapel, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lancaster PA 17606 with Mark Telford officiating. Friends will be received from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Please omit flowers. Memorial Gifts may be made to the Brethren Village Good Samaritan Fund, address above. Groff-High Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online Condolences may be sent to groffeckenroth.com.