Nondas L. Shaffer

Nondas L. Gochenour Shaffer, 90 passed away peacefully at Mulberry Health and Retirement Center at 2:48 a.m., August 15, 2015.  She had been a resident there since 2010.  Nondas was born on October 13, 1924 to Fred and Mary Luper near Owasco in Carroll County, IN.

Nondas graduated from Rossville High School as a member of the illustrious class of 1942.  On January 19, 1944 she married the class president Donald D. Gochenour.  They started their love story together on the family farm located on Haggerty Lane in Clinton County, IN.  Their home was blessed with two daughters, Kathleen Kay (Sam-deceased) Goodwin of Avon and Joyce Ann (Jerry) McElroy of Frankfort.  After selling the family farm, Nondas and Don moved to a home located on St. Rd. 39 just south of Rossville.  In 1973 they moved into their final home at 156 East Main St. in Rossville. Their love story continued there until Don died on July 29, 1984.

On November 26, 1988, Nondas married another 1942 classmate, Harley G. Shaffer.  Their love story continued at 156 East Main St. in Rossville lasting 23 years until Harley’s death on December 29, 2011.

During most of Nondas’s adult life, she was to be a loving mother and farm wife.  She later worked at the Key West Shrimp House in Frankfort, IN where she perfected the art of making twice-baked potatoes that her family and friends famously requested and enjoyed!  In 1976 she became a clerk in the Library of Acquisitions Department at Purdue University.  She retired from there in 1988.

Mrs. Shaffer’s strong Christian faith and love of God was shown to others in the way she lived her life.  During her lifetime she was a member of the Rossville Church of the Brethren and the Lafayette Lynwood Church.  After marrying Harley, she became a member of the Geetingsville Presbyterian Church.  She also served six years as a member and secretary of the Milner Community Nursing Home Board.

In addition to her two husbands, Nondas is preceded in death by her parents, a son-in-law, Sam Goodwin, a step-son, Larry Shaffer, a step-daughter-in-law, Merrianne Shaffer and her sister, Maxine Roth.

Surviving Nondas are her two daughters; Kathleen and Joyce and a step-son Gerry Shaffer from Elkhart, IN.  She is also survived by two grandchildren Jennifer (Randy) Howe of Frankfort, and Allen McElroy of New Castle, IN.  Three step granddaughters; Kate Shaffer, Mary Kish, Katie Kish and a special step daughter-in-law, Amy Shaffer all of Columbus, OH., along with several nieces and nephews.

Nondas had many talents she enjoyed.  She tried her hand at various types of needlework: crocheting, knitting, cross-stitch, needlepoint and quilting.  She also enjoyed playing cards, reading many books, especially her Bible.  She also enjoyed gardening, canning and preserving.  She liked to sing and play her piano.  An avid Purdue fan, she loved watching and rooting for both the boys and girls Boilermaker basketball teams.

Nondas was a walking angel on earth and reflected her faith and love of God in the way she lived her life.  She was a second mother to many and had the most kind, loving and giving heart.  She accepted people unconditionally with respect, love and joy.  Her life and memories will forever be cherished by an abundance of friends and family.  For her 90th birthday she received 155 birthday cards!

Mrs. Shaffer’s family wishes to honor and thank all the staff and volunteers at the Mulberry Health and Retirement Center for the special care, dignity and love they always gave her during her time spent there.  They also became her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in her name may be made to Rock Steady Boxing, 6847 Hillsdale Ct., Indianapolis, IN 46250.  This organization offers to all Parkinson’s patients the ability to learn a special type of exercise similar to boxing that has shown success in slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s.

Visitation for Nondas will be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at Genda Funeral Home in Rossville, from 11:00–1:00 p.m.  The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. following visitation. Rev. Mae Leech will be officiating.  Burial will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.