Verna Eileen Johnson Sheaffer was born in Chicago on April 14, 1929. She went to heaven peacefully on February 20, 2015 after being surrounded by family caregivers in her last days.

The entire Johnson family served at Pacific Garden Mission on weekends, singing and preaching. Verna graduated from Fenger High School in 1947. She worked as a secretary for Illinois Bell Telephone Company. Because of her excellent typing skills, she was often hired to type professional manuscripts. Verna and her 4 children moved to Carol Stream in 1960. She married John (Jack) Sheaffer in 1965 and they moved to Wheaton soon after. She was very involved at the Wheaton Bible Church, serving as a Pioneer Girl leader and helping Jack as he served as a Boys Brigade leader. Verna was very involved in her children's' classrooms at school and PTA.

Verna and Jack moved into Windsor Retirement Community in June 2013. They loved their time there and made many new friends, while renewing friendships from years ago.

God had given Verna an exceptional gift for hospitality, and she used it to serve her church and family, neighbors and friends throughout her life. Her ministry in coordinating funeral lunches was an ongoing role she held for many years at the Wheaton Bible Church.

Verna and Jack loved hosting gatherings in their home: Sunday School class dinners, DuPage Christmas Prayer Breakfast Committee meetings, countless family celebrations and more. A woman of grace, charm and boundless hospitality, she opened her home to those in need of a meal and a place to stay.. She desired that her family circle include the lonely.

Her faith and love for God, and her trust in Jesus Christ her Savior was central to her life.

Verna is survived by her husband, Jack Sheaffer and 5 children: Clifford (Jacquelyn) Brown of West Chicago; Russell Brown of Batavia; Nancy (Doug) Waterman of Wheaton; Becky (Matthew) Garrett of Wheaton; and Mark (Madelene) Sheaffer of Chicago; and by 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind 3 step-children: John (Suzie) Sheaffer of St. Charles; Ronald (Cheryl) Sheaffer of Sandwich; and Lois Sheaffer-Kramer of Roselle. And several step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; one brother-in-law and a sister-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 3 sisters: Esther Vogt, Lois Cory and Carol Neumann; and 3 brothers: Warren, Charles and David Johnson and a step-daughter, Jane Sheaffer.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago and Moody Bible Institute.

Visitation will be held at Windsor Retirement Community in Carol Stream, IL on Friday, Feb. 27th , 1-4:30 pm; a memorial service will be held at Wheaton Bible Church, 27W500 North Ave., West Chicago, IL at 4 pm Saturday, Feb. 28th.