James M Sheaffer

James (Jim) Martin Sheaffer was born January 13, 1929 in Des Moines, Iowa to Martin and Anna (McVey) Sheaffer. He grew up in Panther, Iowa where he attended Panther Creek Church of the Brethren. After high school graduation he accompanied a load of dairy cattle via train and ship to China. Upon his return he enrolled in McPherson College, McPherson, Kansas, where he met his future wife, June Blough. After his graduation, they were married May 29, 1953 in McPherson. 

Jim and June lived and taught at Woodstock School, an international school, in Mussoorie India, where their first daughter, Cynthia (Cindy), was born. After traveling back to the United States, Jim attended graduate school at the University of Iowa where their second daughter, Cheryl, was born. In 1958 they moved to Chadron, Nebraska where Jim joined the Chadron State College faculty. Their third daughter, Janet was born in Chadron. Jim spent 41 years on the faculty of CSC teaching political science and sociology.

Jim loved to travel, enjoying family camping trips, exploring back roads, and leading numerous national and international educational trips, as well as participating in international mission trips. He was an avid reader, birdwatcher, beekeeper, and documented all his trips and family activities through photography. He served on the Chadron City Council, was an active Rotarian, a Red Cross volunteer, and a member of the Chadron United Methodist Church. He was named Chadron’s Citizen of the year in 2009.

After a long and full life, Jim died February 3, 2025, at the age of 96. He is survived by daughters Cindy and husband Norman Leithead of Scottsbluff, NE, Cheryl and husband Paul Davis of Casa Grande, AZ, and Janet Sheaffer of Imperial, NE; grandchildren Tim Leithead of Bridgeport, NE, Sarah (Joe) DiGiovannantonio of Johnstown, CO, and David (Megan) Leithead of Shawnee, KS; great-grandchildren Cassie, Lindsie, Cole, Logen, John, Amelia, Ainsly and Eleanor. Other survivors include sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews. 

Jim was preceded in death by his wife June, his parents and brother Kenneth. 

A Celebration of Life for Jim will be held on Saturday, February 15 at 1:00 P.M. at First Congregational Church 370 Chadron Avenue, Chadron, NE with Reverend Russ Seger officiating. A private family inurnment to be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to Heifer International www.heifer.org or the American Red Cross www.redcross.org in Jim’s Memory.