Meadville Tribune

Local News

December 16, 2006

Gov. Rendell pays respects to Shafer family

12/17/06 — Raymond P. Shafer was remembered as good-humored and a statesman by those who attended calling hours Saturday for the late governor of Pennsylvania at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home in Meadville.

Shafer, 89, of Meadville died Tuesday at Meadville Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled today at 1:30 p.m. at Ford Chapel at Allegheny College.

Shafer, who served as governor from 1967 to 1971, also was president of Allegheny College in 1985-86 and was a former trustee of the college. He was a 1938 magna cum laude graduate of Allegheny with bachelor of science degrees in history and political science.

“He was wonderful,” said Barbara Workinger of Linesville, a certified nursing assistant who has worked as a caregiver for the Shafer family for the last two years.

“I told him ‘If all men were like you, there’d be no divorce rate’,” Workinger said.

Workinger said the former governor and his wife enjoyed getting out in the area.

“He liked to go to Eddie’s Footlongs (the locally famous hot dog stand),” Workinger said. “We’d go once a week and then go down the road to Hank’s for ice cream.”

“He cared about all of us (on his staff),” Workinger said. “He treated us like family.”

Gay Lynch,90, of Meadville first met Gov. Shafer and his wife, Jane, in the 1960s when she and her late husband, Roland, moved to the area.

“He was such a good man and a wonderful person,” said Lynch.

William DeArment, president of Channellock Inc. of Meadville, and his wife, Linda, were among those paying respects to the Shafer family as well.

“The DeArment and Shafer families have been long-time family friends,” William DeArment said noting his parents had known the governor and his family socially. “Him being from Meadville — we were all so proud of him.”

“When I think of Ray Shafer I think of that word statesman,” DeArment continued. “We could use more of them — those who do the right thing, not the politically correct thing — to get elected.”

Current Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell made a brief stopover in Meadville Saturday afternoon to offer his respects to the Shafer family as well.

Rendell called Shafer progressive.

“His investment in education wasn’t spending for spending’s sake, but to move the state forward,” Rendell said.

During the Shafer administration, basic education funding increased by 71 percent and higher education by 47 percent.

“He was a careful, thoughtful and effective man,” Rendell said.

Diane Graham, Shafer’s daughter, said the family is holding up well and has appreciated the show of support from the community.

“He died peacefully. His family was all with him and we were glad to be with him,” she said.

Gov. Shafer had been in declining health the past few years, had suffered a stroke in 2003 that left him partially paralyzed and had been diagnosed with diabetes.

Text Only
Local News
Business Marquee
AP Video
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9 Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House' Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo. Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Poll

Mitt Romney has surged to major campaign wins in recent weeks. If he is the GOP candidate for president:

The Democrats are in trouble; he’s overcoming tough challenges now and learning from them
He will have no chance against incumbent Barack Obama
It’s too early to tell, but Romney would probably be in trouble
It’s too early to tell, but Romney should have a good chance against Obama
     View Results
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com
Stocks