Kevin Allen Shaffer, 30, a lifetime resident of Plymouth, passed away Thursday morning, July 5th in a single car accident in Elkhart County.
Kevin was born the son of Roy Allen and Mary Ann (Decker) Shaffer on December 29, 1981 in Plymouth, Indiana. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School in the Class of 2000.
He will be remembered as a Christian, who was fun to be around, outgoing, helpful to others and how he totally immersed himself in whatever he set out to do. Kevin was an advocate for the humane care of animals. He enjoyed fishing, horseback riding and his pet dogs. He liked the thrill derived from scuba diving, operating remote control cars and planes or full out paintballing, video gaming, dirt biking, motorcycles and cars. His pride and joy was a Mustang he one day intended to restore. He was also content with activities right at home.
Kevin was a specialist when it came to auto body paint and he shared that skill with Utilimaster Corporation in Wakarusa, Indiana.
Family members who are left to share these memories are: his mother and stepfather; Mary Ann and James R. Cenkush of Valparaiso, Indiana, his father figure for many years and with whom he made his home; Gerald A. “Jerry” Hibner of Plymouth, his devoted sister Renee M. (Bauer) Mougin of Knox and who Kevin thought of as his daughter; Hope Olyvia Koontz of Plymouth.
Other family members include are step-sisters; Jill and Nicholas Zaharias of Valparaiso, Jamie Lynne Cenkush of LaPorte and grandparents; Geraldine P. Kitchen of Argos, Bill and Bonnie Bauer of Monterey, and LaVerne and Eileen Hibner of Plymouth. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also share his loss.
Kevin was preceded in death by his father; Roy Allen Shaffer, and grandparents; James E. Decker, Roy Shaffer and Deloris Shaffer. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, July 10th from Noon – 1 p.m. in the Plymouth Wesleyan Church, 11203 S. Michigan St., Plymouth. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the church. Burial will follow in the New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to Pet Refuge, 2300 W. 6th Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544
Ryan Richards says
I\’m heartbroken, but hopeful. Kevin gave us 30 years of memories: That\’s a lot of material to work with, thus he\’ll never be gone. My condolences to his family, nonetheless. If you all need anything, even if it\’s just to talk, you know how to find me. There are too many good qualities and memories to list here, but needless to say, we are all better people for knowing Kevin. It brings me great pride and happiness to call him my friend.
Lee Ann Richards says
Mary and Jerry,
My heart is breaking for you. We never expect to out live our children. I\’ve talked to Ryan and Michael both several times today. They\’ve both shared their Kevin stories. I\’m so glad that they grew up together.
Mary, I remember when the boys were in the 4th grade and Mrs. Faulstich called you to complain that Kevin was bragging about his new Michael Jordan shoes…. She just didn\’t understand that they were his 1st M. Jordan shoes and that he was just so excited to finally have some!
And Jerry, I never worried about Ryan when he was w/ Kevin… until that Spring break day when they were riding around Lawrence Lake w/ a BB gun… Kevin\’s car window got shot out, a neighbor reported that they were shooting a gun from the car and 3 police cars pulled into my office in Plymouth w/ a big report on my trouble maker son, Ryan…
And to think, we raised some of the best kids in Plymouth….
Kevin was a gentle soul. You were lucky to have him. We were lucky to know him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John and Lee Ann
Anonymous says
Anonymous says
Renee,
I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I\’m thinking of you and hoping that fond memories will help you and your family through this very difficult time. I wish you peace.
Your long time neighbor and friend,
Marcia
Melissa Christiansen says
Mary, Jerry, and family;
I was so sorry to hear about Kevin. He was a great kid and this is such a huge loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
The Christiansen Family
(Your old neighbors)
Susan Thielmann says
Oh Mary, I could not even begin to imagine the gravity of this loss to you. Lisa Rhodes called me and let me know. Though, I cannot attend, I am with you in spirit and with my heart. I am so so very sorry. His picture is so beautiful, I could only imagine the wonderful young man that he was and your baby. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Mary and pray that the passage of time will ease your pain and broken heart. We never ever forget, but God gives us periods of rest from the suffering. I am so sorry, Mary, my good friend at the hospital in Medical Records Transcription. Remember when…..
Ryan Richards says
I\’m heartbroken, but hopeful. Kevin gave us 30 years of memories: That\’s a lot of material to work with, thus he\’ll never be gone. My condolences to his family, nonetheless. If you all need anything, even if it\’s just to talk, you know how to find me. There are too many good qualities and memories to list here, but needless to say, we are all better people for knowing Kevin. It brings me great pride and happiness to call him my friend.
Lee Ann Richards says
Mary and Jerry,
My heart is breaking for you. We never expect to out live our children. I\’ve talked to Ryan and Michael both several times today. They\’ve both shared their Kevin stories. I\’m so glad that they grew up together.
Mary, I remember when the boys were in the 4th grade and Mrs. Faulstich called you to complain that Kevin was bragging about his new Michael Jordan shoes…. She just didn\’t understand that they were his 1st M. Jordan shoes and that he was just so excited to finally have some!
And Jerry, I never worried about Ryan when he was w/ Kevin… until that Spring break day when they were riding around Lawrence Lake w/ a BB gun… Kevin\’s car window got shot out, a neighbor reported that they were shooting a gun from the car and 3 police cars pulled into my office in Plymouth w/ a big report on my trouble maker son, Ryan…
And to think, we raised some of the best kids in Plymouth….
Kevin was a gentle soul. You were lucky to have him. We were lucky to know him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John and Lee Ann
Anonymous says
Anonymous says
Renee,
I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss. I\’m thinking of you and hoping that fond memories will help you and your family through this very difficult time. I wish you peace.
Your long time neighbor and friend,
Marcia
Melissa Christiansen says
Mary, Jerry, and family;
I was so sorry to hear about Kevin. He was a great kid and this is such a huge loss. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
The Christiansen Family
(Your old neighbors)
Susan Thielmann says
Oh Mary, I could not even begin to imagine the gravity of this loss to you. Lisa Rhodes called me and let me know. Though, I cannot attend, I am with you in spirit and with my heart. I am so so very sorry. His picture is so beautiful, I could only imagine the wonderful young man that he was and your baby. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers Mary and pray that the passage of time will ease your pain and broken heart. We never ever forget, but God gives us periods of rest from the suffering. I am so sorry, Mary, my good friend at the hospital in Medical Records Transcription. Remember when…..