Merle E. Shaffer, 85, died June 14 at Island Health and Rehabilitation on Bainbridge Island.

He was born August 24, 1923, and had lived in the area for the last 40 years.

He was a member of The Eagles, Sons of Norway, Elks, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Society of Logistic Engineers. He retired from a successful Air Force career.

He was an intelligent and creative person. He enjoyed music, drawing, painting as well as spending quality time with his friends. He is survived by his children; Judith Ann Shaffer and John Robert Shaffer, also his siblings; Bob Shaffer, Mary Baily and Joan Parrott. He was preceded in death by his brother Lawerence Shaffer. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visitation on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Cook Family Funeral Home, 163 Wyatt Way NE on Bainbridge Island, WA. The Graveside Service will follow at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery on Bainbridge. A reception will follow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Conger Hall at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island. Memorial contributions can be made to The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Contributions, J5-200

P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024 . Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.