St. Clair County Obits

Leland Dale Shaffner

Clinton Daily Democrat
4 May, 2004
Leland Dale Shaffner, 70, a resident of Las Cruces, New Mexico since 1986, went to be with the Lord Monday, April 19, 2004, at The Village at Northrise. He will be deeply missed by family, loved ones and friends.
Leland was born May 17, 1933, at Deepwater. He was married August 4, 1963, to Judy Stubbs Shaffner of Edgerton. Leland graduated from Appleton City High School where he was valedictorian of his senior class; Central Technical Institute in Kansas City, Kansas City Junior College and William Jewell College in Liberty. He did graduate study at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was an engineer at KCMO-TV in Kansas City 10 years. He loved to problem solve and be creative. He taught math at Ajo, Arizona, High School for one year.
The Director of Engineering position at Donrey Media Group afforded him challenges at four TV stations and five radio stations from 1965 to 1972. The group was headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas. While there he had the adventure of redesigning the old Carnegie Public Library into the new studios of KFSA-TV. He also was a key figure in rebuilding KORK-TV in Las Vegas, Nevada, after a devastating fire.
In 1972 his dream of owning his own radio station came true. KWOC AM/FM in Popular Bluff were his ultimate satisfaction and he served as general manager until 1987 when ill health made it necessary for him to sell the stations. His greatest joy came from the gospel programming he was able to provide to Southeast Missouri. He carried such programs as Back To The Bible, through The Bible Radio With J. Vernon McGee, Haven Of Rest and many local programs such as Big Country Gospel with Harold Urich. He also owned KOBE/KOPE in Las Cruces from 1985 to 1987 and carried local programming, such as St. Paul's Methodist Church Sunday Worship Hour.
He was employed by New Mexico State University from November 1987 to August 1997. He was chief engineer of KRWG-FM for about three years and then was a satellite technician uplinking distance education classes from National Technological University through the WERC Program at NMSU.
Leland had wanted to be a missionary and serve at HCJB (Heralding Christ Jesus' Blessings) Short-Wave Missionary Radio Station in Quito, Ecuador. Because of health problems he could not serve, but became a special representative for HCJB informing churches and other groups of the mission opportunity in this wonderful ministry that now broadcasts the gospel into over 100 countries in over nine languages. He was a member of the board of directors of Christian Radio Station KHEP in Phoenix, Arizona, for many years. He appreciated the opportunity to share his knowledge, experience and expertise in broadcasting to benefit the listeners.
Leland was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Las Cruces where he enjoyed serving as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher of third grade children for several years. He had served as a deacon in every church of which the family was members. He was minister of music at McNeil Mission and of Eastside Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
He was a former certified U.S. swimming referee and stroke and turn judge volunteering at many swim meets in New Mexico and El Paso. His hobbies included attending southern gospel music concerts, coin collecting, rock-hounding, collecting antique radios and traveling. He loved miniature dachshunds and the family has had that breed of dog since 1966. He had been a dedicated Christian since age 14. He was a loving and loyal husband, father, grandfather and loved one. He was a faithful friend to many. He had a strong positive will that overcame many adversities by the Lord's strength.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Delbert and Blanche Shaffner, Lowry City; a loving stepmother, Eula Shaffner, and an infant sister, Lois Jean Shaffner.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judy, of the home; his son, Layton and friend Jana McManigal, Dallas; his children by special choice and source of joy, Colleen Antone, Darrell Antone and wife Brenday, Topeka, Kansas, Chuck Weaver and wife Mickey, Las Cruces; six grandchildren, Chris Cleveland, Belynda Antone, Kristianne (Weaver) Larson, Geoffrey Crego, Dmitri Antone, Carlitos Weaver, and four great-grandchildren, Anthony Cleveland, Jazmiin Cleaveland, Israel Vasquez and Eliza Pena. One sister, Rita Cafer of Sedalia, also survives.
The Celebration of Leland's life was at Calvary Baptist Church, Las Cruces, Thursday, April 22 with interment at the Masonic Cemetery followed.