Jolane Shaffer passed away with the love of her life by her side, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Newnan, Ga.. Jolane was 80 years old. While heaven received one of their own, her family feels the loss. She was the pillar of her family, an encouraging friend, and a vessel of God's love to all. Jolane instilled in her family the values of 1 Peter 4:10-11 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Jolane was born in Topeka on Nov. 14, 1943, to the late Judge Spencer and Ruth Ackerman. She grew up in the small farming community of Larned. As a youth, she attended and dedicated her life to Christ at the First Presbyterian Church in Larned. Upon graduating high school, she attended Kansas State University to study Business Administration. She was an active member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where she remained in contact with many of her sorority sisters over the years. During her freshman year of college, she met her husband, Ronald Lawson Shaffer, an active member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. On Aug. 29, 1964, Ron and Jolane were married at the same First Presbyterian Church in Larned that she attended weekly as a youth. Jolane always wanted to be remembered first and foremost as a Child of God, a proud Kansan, a supportive Air Force wife and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Jolane’s life was a testament to her belief in God, her emphasis on family, kinship with friends, and dedication to the Air Force. Jolane's love and commitment to her husband, Ronald Shaffer, for 60 years was unwavering, he was her rock. Her role as a military wife took them to three countries and nine states. She raised three loving and devoted children, who in turn are raising 12 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. Jolane always took pride in the close connection her family has, even though they are scattered around the world.
Her dedication to God was honorable. She was actively involved in Christian Education, owned a Christian Bookstore servicing European Military Communities and foreign missionaries for 14 years, and shared God's love and biblical history at the Antiquity Center in LaGrange, Ga. In recent years, even though her mobility and health had declined, she was called by God to deliver birthday and encouragement cards to residents of Wesley Woods, as well as supporting those in need. Jolane leaves behind a legacy of faith and love in God, family, and friends. Her stories, enthusiasm, vibrancy, and love can be seen all around us. She loved planning family get togethers, relished traveling, experiencing new things, sharing ideology, and interacting with people every day. Therefore, we mourn the present and the loss that we feel but thank God for allowing Jolane Shaffer to be a part of our lives, until we meet again.
Jolane will be buried in the Larned Cemetery. Jolane was preceded in death by her father, Judge Spencer Ackerman; mother; Ruth Ackerman; brother, Robert Ackerman; and grandson, Blake Shaffer.
Jolane is survived by her husband, Ron Shaffer; daughters, Kelly Harris and Kristine Young; son, Kevin Shaffer; nephew, Brett Ackerman; and niece, Janene Ackerman.
The funeral will be a private ceremony with only close family members present.