Russell William Shaffer, Jr.

Russell William Shaffer Jr., 74, of Latrobe, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born May 18, 1947, in Ruffs Dale, a son of the late Russell W. Shaffer Sr. and Bethel J. (Hindman) Shaffer Ludvik. He was a graduate of Greensburg Salem High School, Class of 1965, and after 39 years retired from the Elliott Company in 2005. Russell was also involved in the founding of Pleasant Unity Pizza in 1979. He enjoyed spending summer weekends at Hillegass Campground with friends and family and loved golfing with his work crew buddies at Glengarry Golf Course several times a week. Russell enjoyed hunting and especially enjoyed attending all of his grandkids' activities no matter how near or far away those activities took place. The grandkids always came first in his life and he made sure each and every grandchild knew how very special they were to him. If you considered Russ a friend, you were truly blessed with a friend for life. He was definitely the life of the party and an expert at telling jokes and making people laugh. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Priscilla J. (Puskar) Shaffer; his daughter, Allyn L. (David) Pauli, of Haymarket, Va.; his son, Russell W. (Traci) Shaffer III, of Latrobe; his sister, Cindy Yeskey, and half-sister, Beth Ludvik, both of Greensburg; five grandchildren, Chase and Kate Pauli, of Haymarket, Va., and Jacob, Luke and Lauren Shaffer, of Latrobe. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, George (Sally) Puskar, of Pleasant Unity; sisters-in-law, Marianne Bradford, of Orlando, Fla., Loretta Iannuzzo, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Christine Dreistadt, of Pleasant Unity; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Steve Ludvik; sister-in-law, Bea (Puskar) Grates; brother-in-law, Pete Dreistadt; close friend, Bob Yeskey; a dear nephew, Robert Iannuzzo; and a very special uncle, George Elliott. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the LEO M. BACHA FUNERAL HOME INC., 2072 Route 130, Pleasant Unity, where funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. David L. Greer officiating. Interment will follow in Hillview Cemetery, Hempfield Township.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to your favorite charity. www.bachafh.com.

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