David Shaffer

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

David Merritt Shaffer age 85 passed away at his home Sunday Jan. 7th, 2024. He was born August 6th, 1938, on a 104-acre farm in Bates County Missouri. He was the 5th of 10 children born to Albert Arthur Shaffer and Ruth Lorena (Foster) Shaffer.

He attended elementary school at the one room Oak grove school house near their family farm. David left high school early to go to work for his uncle on a traveling road construction crew. Shortly after that he met the love of his life Karen Sue Harper. They were married on August 19th, 1956, in Ft. Scott Kansas. They had three children. Daughter Ruth Ann, son Steven David and daughter Debra Louise.

David worked various jobs before eventually realizing he and his wife Karen’s dream of opening their own restaurant. In 1973 they sold their farm near Ft. Scott Kansas and opened a Tastee Freez franchise at 1312 S. Madison in Webb City Missouri. A short time later they dropped their franchise and became their own independent fast food restaurant Shaffer’s Big Q Burger. The Q stood for quality, something he and Karen were passionate about. In 1985 they converted that restaurant into Granny Shaffer’s naming the concept after their grandchildren.

David baked homemade bread, dinner rolls and even made homemade hamburger buns, Karen “Granny” cooked up delish comfort style entrees and prize-winning homemade pies and desserts. As their restaurant continued to grow, they eventually moved to their current location at 2728 N. Rangeline where it still serves the community today.

David’s passion was his family. Nothing in this world was more important to him than family. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved spending time teaching them to fish, and garden. He never missed an opportunity to share a life lesson and he had many.

David loved the outdoors. He had a gift for gardening. He took pride in his beautiful flower beds and grew a bountiful vegetable garden. He enjoyed sharing his home-grown tomatoes and vegetables with friends and neighbors. Nothing was so good as his homegrown tomatoes. He even made sure the birds and wildlife ate well too. He had many feeders that he diligently kept filled with goodies for his feathered neighbors. The feeders attracted cardinals, robins, finches, blue jays, and woodpeckers. Even hawks, and turkey buzzards knew David had a meal waiting for them. He would put out meat scraps daily to feed the fox and birds of prey that visited his yard. He loved watching them out his back window.

His family will forever miss his unique sense of humor, wit and wisdom. David’s wife Karen preceded him in death in 2005. He is survived by his children Ruth Ann Feldman (Paul), Steven Shaffer (Jaime), Debra Riley (Steve). His grandchildren: Briana Davis (Robert), John Riley, Emily Smith (Brian), Jeremy Riley, Brian Stepp, Tyler Shaffer, Justin Riley, 11 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren.

Family requests floral contributions to be arranged though Webb City Florist.

Visitation
Thursday, January 11th, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Mason-Woodard Mortuary
3701 East 7th Street
Joplin, Missouri 64801

Memorial Service
Friday, January 12th, 2024 1:00pm
Mason-Woodard Chapel
3701 E. 7th. St.
Joplin, MO 64801