Michael L. Shreffler, Madison
1934 - 2007
Retired pastor Michael L. Shreffler died Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, at his home in Madison. He was 73 and had cancer.
The Rev. Shreffler served many churches in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. He held credentials with the Presbyterian and Baptist ministries.
During his time in Eskridge, he helped join together the United Methodist and First Presbyterian churches; in Chicago, Ill., he worked in desegregation and at Monticello, Ill., he was active in radio ministry. In Naperville, Ill., he organized a program for physically handicapped children and young adults. He retired from full-time ministry in 1997 but continued to serve and to counsel. He was a counselor for Alcoholics Anonymous and Compassionate Friends. He volunteered for the United Way and Lions Club, transporting eyes for corneal transplants. He and his wife, Maxine, moved to Madison in June and attended the Lamont Wesleyan Church.
The son of Robert and Sally Terensky Shreffler, he was born June 4, 1934, at Peoria, Ill. During his younger years, he helped his father in his cobbler shop and watch-repair business while serving as a minister for Youth for Christ. His secondary education was from the University of Illinois and Michigan State University. He graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree in 1964. He received his clinical pastoral education from the University of Missouri and Osawatomie and Topeka State hospitals.
The Rev. Shreffler was a member and chaplain of Rotary Club and charter member of the Lee’s Summit Garden Club. He was a religious book collector and helped start many church libraries. He was in the process of compiling a collection of his writings, inspirational and devotional thoughts reflecting upon the Bible, garden and nature.
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Maxine Shreffler; one son, Stephen Shreffler of Monticello, Ill.; one daughter, Deborah of Newbury Park, Calif.; four stepchildren, Teresa Rice, Beth Dains Pees and Greg Rawlings, all of Madison, and Cindy K. Nichols of Ellinwood; a sister, Roberta Allen of Tremont, Ill.; 19 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The service to celebrate his life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Lamont Wesleyan Church in Lamont. The Rev. Steve McVey will conduct the service. The family will meet friends from1 p.m. Wednesday until service time. The Rev. Shreffler donated his body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine for teaching and research.
The family suggests that, instead of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Hand in Hand Hospice or Lamont Wesleyan Church and sent in care of the Wilson Funeral Home., P.O. Box 488, Madison, KS 66860.