Army Sergeant Dean R Shaffer

PEKIN ~ United States Army Sergeant Dean Russell Shaffer, 23, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade.

He was born March 21, 1989 in Fort Myers, Florida to Dean Randolph and Susan Marie (Rasbeck) Shaffer.

Surviving are his mother, Susan Shaffer of Peoria; father and step-mother, Dean “Randy” and Jolyn Shaffer of Fallon, Nevada; one sister, Jennifer Davis of Pekin; one niece, Emily Davis; one nephew, Mason Davis; grandparents, Mary Rasbeck of North Fort Myers, Florida, Denton Shaffer of Florida, and Sherry and Mark Taylor of Fallon, Nevada.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John Rasbeck.

Dean was a 2007 graduate of Pekin Community High School where he participated in the JROTC program and graduated with the rank of Cadet Sergeant Major.  He was a member of the JROTC Honor Guard, Color Guard, Drill Team, Physical Fitness Team, Academic Team, and Orienteering Team.  He was the recipient of the first PCHS JROTC Career and Technical Education Award.

During his high school years, Dean worked at Steak-n-Shake in Pekin for several years.  He enjoyed playing video games and paintballing. 

Sergeant Shaffer has been posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Aviation Badge.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 30, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.  Burial with be at Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where full military honors will be accorded by the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the USO of Illinois (United Service Organizations), 333 South Wabash Avenue, 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com