Jane Helen Sheaffer

Jane Helen Sheaffer, 75, of Shamokin, PA passed away Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township. Born in Shamokin, PA on August 18, 1950, Jane was the daughter of the late William "Bill" Clayton Hoffman and Helen Effie (Persing) Hoffman. She had one brother, James “Jim” Hoffman, who also preceded her in death.

Jane was a 1968 graduate of Shamokin Area High School, where she was first chair in string bass. In 1972 she graduated from Westchester University near Philadelphia, triple majoring in flute, piano, and string bass. She earned her master's equivalency at Penn State University in 1976. Jane worked in the Manheim Township School District, teaching music at all levels, from elementary to secondary. She was very involved with the music community, and well known for playing string bass with local groups and for the United States Singing Sergeants when they played in Mt. Carmel and Danville. Jane met her husband, John Sheaffer, at a bridge tournament on April 23, 1977 and they married on July 8, 1978. They soon moved to the historical Sheaffer family farm on Lexington Road where Jane grew vegetables and took care of the many farm cats. She loved to fish and was a member of Bass Masters and participated in many tournaments. After her marriage ended, she moved to Las Vegas in May 1994 near her Aunt Isabel and Uncle Fred. She studied astrology and lived with her much-loved cat, Sabrina, and hedgehog, Brittle. Five years after her father passed, Jane moved back in 2009 to Shamokin, PA with her cat Sabrina. She loved coming “home” to Shamokin and spending those years living with her mom. After her mother and Sabrina both passed away, Jane adopted her cat Jesse, who was her constant companion. She loved visits from family members and friends and would take them to Knoebels for pierogies. She was always up for a game of cards or backgammon.

Jane recently received her Bronze Life Master for Bridge in March of 2026 from the American Contract Bridge League. She worked many years for that accomplishment. Jane is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Sheaffer of Dallas, TX; son, John Sheaffer of Naples, FL; two grandchildren, Kathryn Elizabeth Sheaffer of Dallas, TX, and Ryan Sheaffer of Austin, TX, and her cousin Ann Kahn of Mount Pleasant Mills, PA.

FUNERAL NOTICE

Jane Helen Sheaffer, 75, Shamokin – Funeral service will be at a later date, at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are being cared for by Farrow-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 240 W Chestnut Street, Shamokin, Lori Ann Campbell, Supervisor. To send condolences to the family please visit www.FarrowFH.com