Thomas Joseph Sheffer

RICHMOND, Ind. – Thomas Joseph Sheffer, age 67, of Richmond, died Tuesday, March 1, 2016, at Reid Health. Born August 3, 1948, in Richmond, Indiana, to Gene and Roberta J. Lawrence Sheffer, Tom was a 1966 graduate of Richmond High School and an Indiana University graduate. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and earned the Vietnamese Service Medal with Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal with Device, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Navy Achievement Medal with 'V', Combat Action Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal. Tom lived most of his life in San Diego, California. He had a successful career in San Diego that spanned 35 years. Tom worked for the Construction Industry Federation, San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and acted as Chief of Policy for the Mayor of San Diego. He spent 10 years from 2002-2012 at the San Diego State University Research Foundation as a Program Manager working alongside the Department of Defense and SPAWAR. Tom dedicated part of his career to finding new technologies funded by Homeland Security and Department of Defense to assist first responders and our men and women of the American military. He had a love of music and was an accomplished pianist and music composer. Tom had a passion for cooking. He was loved by his children, wife, and family. Survivors include his children, Serena Rose Sheffer, Michael Thomas Sheffer, and Stacia McCormack, all of San Diego, California; three grandsons, Connor, Aidan, and Andrew McCormack, all of San Diego, California; his ex-wife to whom he had been married for 25 years, Michele R. Raya Sheffer of San Diego, California; mother, Roberta J. Sheffer of Richmond; sisters, Nancy and Pat Sheffer, both of Portland, Oregon; nephew, Christopher Butz of Portland, Oregon; aunt, Anna Merle Posther of Michigan; and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Sheffer; sister, Linda A. Engle; and niece, Angie Kovach. Memorial visitation for Thomas Joseph Sheffer will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond. Memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2016, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. Cindy Ploughe officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Wayne County Honor Guard. Private burial was held in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens Veteran’s Field of Honor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 230 West Monroe, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60606. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Thomas Joseph Sheffer

August 3, 1948 - March 1, 2016