Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information

Jeffery Lyle Shanafelt was born on February 4, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Lyle and Arlene (Forth) Shanafelt. Jeff is survived by his sister: Debra and her husband: Michael Diko of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jeff passed away, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Eagle Point Nursing Home after a brief illness.

Here is Jeff’s obit in his own words:

Hi Boys & Girls! I’ve done many many fun things! I’ve also done some dumb things I’m not proud of. I’ll dwell on the positive things! I loved to hunt, bagging hundreds of ducks, mostly out of my scull boat. I enjoyed spending time at my cabin trolling in my flatboat waiting to catch the big one. I’ve traveled far and wide mostly to warm, sunny places: Florida, Jamaica, Bahamas, and Cancun. I swam in high school, and continued to swim daily throughout my life. I started lifting weights when I was 16, and still do every day (I once bench-pressed 280lbs, now I’m happy to do 105). I played baseball at Parsons College, the only non-scholarship player to make the team and letter. My greatest love is History, I grew up at the AMVETS Club, where it was full of WWII veterans, and my father was the manager. After graduating from Clinton High School in 1960, I went to get a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science from Parsons College in 1965 and a masters degree in European History from Northeast Missouri State in 1967. I began collecting WWII military memorabilia.

I’m not sure why I’m still here as many of my good friends have passed. I worked for a great company Prudential Insurance Company for almost 30 years. Anway, I’ve had a great ride! Ups and downs just like all of you! I attended the First Methodist Church every Sunday, and I always feel better when I leave. Anyways Boys and Girls, I think that’s about it.

Funeral Services will be 11:00am, Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the First Methodist Church – Clinton. Burial will be next to his parents in the Lower York Cemetery – Thomson, Illinois. Serving as pallbearers will be D’Anne and Mike Kroemer, Randy Schmitt, Bill Greenwalt, Mike Diko, and Bob McGee. Visitation will be Monday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Clinton Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory. Memorials can be made to the Clinton AMVETS or the First Methodist Church – Clinton.

What’s your fondest memory of Jeffery?

What’s a lesson you learned from Jeffery?

Share a story where Jeffery's kindness touched your heart.

Describe a day with Jeffery you’ll never forget.

How did Jeffery make you smile?