Delbert Lee "Del" Shaffer

Delbert Lee “Del” Shaffer, 89, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Cedarhurst of Blue Springs.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit. The family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at St. Joseph Cemetery in Clifton City, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph Cemetery, c/o Stephen Siegel, 7001 Cheyenne Dr., Pilot Grove, MO 65276.

Del was born on September 18, 1936, in Antioch, Missouri, to John Eston and Anna Mae (Kirchner) Shaffer. He grew up in the Kahoka area and graduated from Kahoka High School in 1954. He attended Culver-Stockton College before graduating from the Worsham School of Mortuary Arts in Chicago, Illinois, in 1957. In 1958, he became a licensed mortician and funeral director, beginning a career dedicated to serving families in their times of greatest need. He eventually became the owner and operator of Shaffer and Sons Funeral Home in Kahoka and was licensed to serve families in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois.

Del dedicated his life to helping others. For many years, he provided ambulance service to Clark County and served as Clark County Coroner for 24 years. He was deeply involved in the communities he served and gave generously of his time and talents to numerous civic, professional, charitable, and community organizations.

A longtime member of the Kiwanis Club, Del joined in 1958, served as president of the local club, and later served as Lieutenant Governor of the Missouri/Arkansas District. He was instrumental in founding the Kahoka City-Wide Garage Sales and the Christmas Dinner for those who would otherwise be alone on Christmas. He also served as president of the Kahoka Chamber of Commerce and on numerous boards and councils, including the Library Board, Child Welfare Advisory Board, Extension Council, Health Occupations Class Board, Boy Scouts of America, and Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

His commitment to his community extended well beyond his professional life. Del was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Kahoka, where he served on the board and as a Eucharistic Minister. After moving to the Kansas City area in 1996, he continued his career as a funeral director with Speaks Memorial Funeral Home in Independence, Missouri, where he worked until 2020. He was a member of Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church and continued serving as a Eucharistic Minister.

Del was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, including St. Patrick Council #2529, where he served as Grand Knight from 1995–1996, as well as the Fourth-Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the TKE Fraternity and served in the U.S. Army National Guard.

Del lived a life of service, but he also knew how to enjoy life. He loved golf, boating, water and snow skiing, fishing in Canada, salmon fishing in Nova Scotia, gardening, his home and yard, and especially his beloved koi pond. He loved to travel and spent many winters in Fort Myers, Florida, where he and Bernie enjoyed frequent rounds of golf at Kelly Greens Golf and Country Club and made many wonderful friends. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and attended many home games over the past 30 years.

Above all, Del cherished his family. He and his wife, “Bernie,” shared 66 wonderful years of marriage, and she remained the joy of his life. He was especially blessed to live close to his grandchildren and treasured the time he spent with them. His family, friends, and the many people he served throughout his career will remember him for his generosity, dedication, hard work, and genuine desire to help others.

Del is survived by his loving wife, Bernie, of the home; three sons, Dennis Shaffer (Analisa) of Olathe, Kansas; Dr. Chad Shaffer (Dr. Suzanne) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Dr. Todd Shaffer (Brandy) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; sister-in-law Carolyn Shaffer of Kahoka, Missouri; three grandchildren, Olivia Shaffer of Washington, D.C., Alec Shaffer and Ian Shaffer of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Eston and Anna Mae Shaffer; four brothers, Jim, Robert, Larry, and Leo Shaffer; a sister who died in infancy; brothers-in-law Norman Eckerle, Douglas Eckerle, and Russell Eckerle; and sisters-in-law Merline Wilson and Jeanette Eckerle.

Del leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a lasting legacy of service, love, and devotion to his family and community. He will be deeply missed by all who have the privilege of knowing him.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com. Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel, (816) 373-3600.