I am the direct descendant and present steward of the Shaffer/Schaeffer family line descending from Hans Jacob (Johann Jacob) Schaeffer Jr. (1728–1815) through Michael Shaffer Sr., Michael Shaffer Jr., Louis Cass Shaffer, Robert Gesler Shaffer, Earl Crawford Shaffer, Robert Gary and my father, Russell Lynne Shaffer. My work on Find a Grave is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and reconnecting the branches of this family across Ohio, Georgia, Virginia, Missouri, Illinois, and beyond.

Many of the most recent generations of my line were cremated rather than buried, and their remains are now in my care. My long‑term goal is to reunite these later generations with the earlier ones interred at Shaffer Cemetery in Greenfield Township, Gallia County, Ohio, restoring the continuity of the family's historical resting place.

I divide my time between Frankfurt, Germany and the State of Georgia, and I maintain this page as a living archive for descendants, researchers, and anyone seeking to understand the history of this family. My intention is not ownership, but stewardship — to ensure that every member of this line, buried or cremated, is remembered with accuracy, dignity, and context.

If you are a descendant, relative, or researcher and wish to collaborate, share information, or correct historical details, I welcome respectful contact. My purpose here is simple: to honor those who came before us and to preserve the integrity of their story.