Dorothy Shaffer

Dorothy (Schley) Shaffer, 101, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at Hallmark Care Center, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Celebration of Life Service: 11 a.m. on Wednesday April 13, 2022; at Stewart Baxter Funeral Home, Mt Vernon. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Private Burial: Norwich Cemetery, Martelle, Iowa. Those unable to attend are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Dorothy's Tribute Wall and share your support and memories with her family at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries. Dorothy Maxine McVay was born October 18, 1920, near Shellsburg Iowa to (William) Earl & Bessie Seymour McVay. She graduated from Viola High School. Dorothy McVay and Raymond Schley were married September 23, 1940, at the Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. The couple farmed and raised their children near Martelle. Dorothy enjoyed being outdoors and helping with the chores. She gathered eggs, raised chicks to be fryers, milked two cows by hand and drove the tractor when baling hay and straw. Ray & Dorothy were very active in the community. They belonged to the Martelle United Methodist Church, PEO and KOC, Martelle Consolidated School PTO. They enjoyed square dancing, bowling, playing cards with friends. Dorothy liked working with people; she taught bible school, was a 4-H leader and volunteered with activities at the school. She was an immaculate house keeper and very good cook. She was well known for her pies and kolaches. Dorothy had many hobbies including crocheting, Swedish weaving, sewing, painting and all sorts of crafts. She enjoyed reading, word puzzles and fishing. Raymond passed away from a heart attack on January 22, 1974, at age 56. To keep busy Dorothy worked for several years at the Cornell College Field House, laundering all the athletic uniforms. Dorothy later married Leon Shaffer and they continued to live on the farm. After Dorothy's retirement they lived in Zapata, Texas, in the winter. Dorothy and Leon enjoyed bowling, playing cards and eating out with friends. Dorothy loved having her family around. She loved baby sitting her grandchildren & great grandchildren. She especially enjoyed cooking for big family gatherings. Dorothy was proud to have lived on the Schley farm for 70 years. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Bill (Carol) Schley, Ocala, FL and Bev (Larry) Stewart, Martelle; grandchildren, Bret (Karla) Stewart, Laurie (Dave) Keller, Jeff (Lory) Schley, Jean (Rick) Rowan; great-Grandchildren Dustin (Libby) Stewart, Danell (Joe) Franiak, Christopher (Danielle) Schley, Drew Keller, Derk Keller, Tyler Schley; great-great-grandchildren, Charlie, Konnor & Nora Stewart, Claire Franiak; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by two husbands; her parents; siblings, Velma (Walter) Schley, Irene (Elmer) Wink, Ralph (Leota) McVay, Herb (Marie) McVay, Don (Virginia) McVay, Gilbert McVay; and brother-in-law, Howard (Margaret) Schley. The family would like to thank Hallmark Care Center for the wonderful care they gave Dorothy. Your kindness & generosity will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family; funds will go to the Martelle United Methodist Church and the Martelle Volunteer Fire Department.