Pastor M. L. Shreffler

PASTOR M. L. MICK SHREFFLER

Pastor M. L. Shreffler, 73, formerly of Monticello, Illinois, died Sunday, September 30, 2007, peacefully at home in Madison, Kansas, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born Mickie Louis Shreffler, on June 4, 1934 in Peoria, Illinois and known to most as Mick, he recently changed his first name to Michael. He was the son of Robert and Sarah Sally Terensky Shreffler. Maxine, his wife of
21 years, survives him as do his son, Stephen and his wife Dora of Monticello, Illinois; his daughter, Deborah, of Newbury Park, California; and his sister, Roberta Bobbie Allen and her husband Thomas, of Tremont, Illinois.

His extended family included four step-children: Teresa Rice and her husband Randy, Beth Dains Pees and her husband Michael, and Greg Rawlings and his wife Mary all of Madison, KS; and Cindy K. Nichols and her husband Rick of Ellinwood, KS; 19 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog Ziggy. His parents both preceded him in death.

Pastor Shreffler graduated from Peoria Manual High School. During his early years, he assisted his father in his cobbler and watchmaker business while serving as a minister for Youth for Christ.

He received his secondary education from Spring Arbor University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and the University of Illinois.
He was a seminary-trained Presbyterian minister graduating in 1963 with a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
He worked very hard to put himself through college and continued adding to his higher education throughout his life, easily exceeding the requirements to earn a Ph.D.

He subsequently completed two years of Clinical Pastoral Education from the University of Missouri and at two Kansas state hospitals. Following this specialized training and state certification, he most recently worked seven years at Trinity North Hospital where he worked with ex-offenders and their families dealing with violence, alcohol and drug addictions, other anti-social behaviors, spiritual struggles and many other personal issues.

During his long ministerial tenure, Pastor Shreffler was honored to serve numerous churches in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. He held credentials with both the Presbyterian and Baptist ministries. His ministry was devoted to pastoral care, leadership, and counseling. He was particularly pleased to be an advocate for those in need.

In 1965, while serving the Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois, he founded the Sheltered Workshop, now named Little Friends, Inc., a well known private, non-profit organization for physically handicapped children and young adults, and was a vital player in desegregation in Chicago during the 1960s.

During his service at the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, Illinois, he was active in radio and television ministry, and founded the pre-school located in the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello, which he named the Kairos School and two of his grandchildren attended 25 years later. One of his fondest moments in Monticello was ringing the church bell with his son Steve, celebrating the end of the Vietnam War.

Not afraid of a challenge, during his time in Eskridge, Kansas, he was instrumental in yoking the United Methodist and First Presbyterian churches.

He united many couples in marriage including his sister and each of his two children and performed many baptisms. He rejoiced in celebrating these special occasions and serving the Lord in this capacity.

After honorably retiring from full-time ministry in 1997, Pastor Shreffler continued to serve in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He was a counselor for Alcoholics Anonymous and the Compassionate Friends organization. He was a professional member of NCADD of Missouri and held professional certification. He volunteered for United Way and Lions Club, and transported eyes for corneal transplants. He was a long-time member and Chaplain of Rotary Club, a charter member and Chaplain of the Lees Summit Garden Club, and numerous other civic groups.

Always so modest when it came to sharing with others his personal accomplishments, those listed herein are certainly just the tip of the iceberg.

He was an avid reader and collector of religious books and was instrumental in starting many church libraries. Pastor Shreffler was in the process of compiling a collection of his writings, inspirational and devotional thoughts reflecting upon the Bible, garden and nature. After moving to Madison KS in June, he and Maxine attended Lamont Wesleyan Church in Lamont.

A celebration of his life was held Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at the Lamont Wesleyan Church, Lamont, KS with Pastor Steve McVey conducting the service.

Desirous of his commitment to help others, Pastor Shreffler donated his body to Kansas University School of Medicine for teaching and research.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Little Friends, Inc. or Kairos School.

Pastor Shreffler had a great sense of humor and he used it often even in his last days; he was a kind human being and no one was a stranger to him. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, and colleagues alike.

A website celebrating his life is located at http://www.SS427.com/dad where family, friends, parishioners, colleagues, and clients are all encouraged to visit, leave messages, upload pictures and other files, and share stories or memories of Pastor M. L. Shreffler.

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