Russel Edwin Shaffer

“To a brighter light, to a promised land, you can feel the power of the master’s hand.” (Bob Seger) Russel “Russ” Edwin Shaffer of Toledo, Ohio passed away shortly after midnight on Christmas Day at Hospice of Northwest Ohio after a year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Russ was born in Lake Forest, Illinois on July 23, 1945, where his father Dr. Russel Shaffer was a dentist with the Navy. Russ attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Central Catholic High School, and was a proud graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he met his wife Carol in 1963. Shortly after graduating from Marquette, the couple married in Pennsylvania and set up roots in Toledo raising their three daughters in the same house on Bowen Road in which he grew up. After graduating from the University of Toledo’s Law School, Russ worked as a practicing attorney in Toledo until the time of his death. Russ was preceded in death by his father, Russel E. Shaffer DDS; his mother, Patricia Shaffer Greenen; and his brother, Charles Shaffer. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Carol DeMatteis Shaffer; daughters, Laura Shaffer Restivo (James), Lisa Shaffer Mullen (Patrick), and Elizabeth Shaffer Puffenbarger (Jason); sister and brother-in-law, Barb Shaffer Nichols and Neal Nichols; granddaughters, Marissa Restivo (Milad Karim), Mary Kathryn Mullen, Miranda Restivo, Megan Mullen, Mia Restivo, Maria Restivo, Madeline Mullen, Leah Puffenbarger, and Anna Puffenbarger; nephew, Ross Nichols; niece, Lauren Nichols Olsen (Neil). Having been diagnosed with AML in December 2022, Russ fought a courageous battle determined not to let this disease get him down. Russ was happiest when spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed his time in Sarasota, where he owned a home for the past four years. He was an enthusiastic Bob Seger, Green Bay Packers and Marquette Warriors fan. Christmas Eve was his favorite holiday and it will not be the same without him. While those who loved him will miss him dearly, they are comforted by the many years of memories he created with them. In keeping with Russ’, request the family will hold a private internment memorial service at a later date.

Russel Edwin Shaffer

July 23, 1945 - December 25, 2023