George V. Sheffer of Carbondale
George V. Sheffer, 73, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Carbondale.
George was born on Aug. 22, 1952, to his loving parents, George W. and Adelaide (Ondrak) Sheffer, in Chicago and grew up in Lombard, Ill. He married Diane Mirtich on Aug. 12, 1978 in La Salle, Ill., at St. Roch’s Catholic Church.
George graduated from Montini High School, where he excelled on the wrestling team. He then began his studies at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which was put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. George was served his orders to Vietnam and was on the tarmac to depart, when it was announced no more troops would be sent and he remained in the United States. George received the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable service during a time of conflict.
He returned to Carbondale, where he managed the American Tap. He later partnered in the hardware business with a True Value store in Harrisburg. As president of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce, he proudly participated in the community and shot off fireworks on the 4th of July.
After five years, the Harrisburg business was sold and he became a partner in Murdale True Value Hardware in Carbondale. The Sheffers later became sole owners and expanded the business into Cannon Distributing and Just Ask Rental with his brother, Jim. George and Diane sold the business and retired in 2018. George was selected as a Fortune 500 Board of Director on the Cotter & Company board while overseeing a period of merger.
George received the SIU College of Business’ Business Leader of the Year Award, the SIU Distinguished Service Award, the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year Award, and with his wife, Diane, both the President’s Service Award and Citizen of the Year Award. George served as president of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Saluki Pride Committee, where he began the “Paw Prints” on the road for scholarships. Hardware Retailing Association named Murdale True Value “True Value Hardware Store of the Year” — a national recognition.
He believed in giving back to his community and loved Carbondale as his home. He organized programs like the Murdale Safe Halloween and welcomed SIU international students to a cookout in Murdale Shopping Center. He did many fundraisers for St. Francis C.A.R.E., the Coach Kill Cancer Fund, Crime Stoppers, the Boys and Girls Club, and Toys for Tots. For his work with Toys for Tots, he was made a Marine Corps Associate Member. He was president of the SIH Foundation Board and served for many years. In 2025, he and Diane received the SIH Foundation Impact Award. In addition, George sat on the Carbondale Planning Commission and taught multiple semesters of retail management in the College of Business at SIU.
An active member of St. Francis Xavier Church, he volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector and headed the funding campaign to renovate the Church. He was proud of his fourth-degree membership in the Knights of Columbus.
George is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Dr. Amanda Sheffer; his son, Dr. Douglas (Amber) Sheffer; his granddaughter, Cameron Sheffer; and his siblings, Edward (Anne) Sheffer, James (Laura) Sheffer, Dr. Mary Lou Sheffer and Thomas (Elizabeth) Sheffer.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Adelaide Sheffer; and his sisters, Cathleen Sheffer and Susan Sheffer.
Visitation was held Wednesday, April 29 from 3 to 7 p.m., with a Rosary Service at 7 p.m., all at Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale. Funeral Mass was at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Burial was private.
Memorials may be made to Toys for Tots or the SIH Foundation — Special Care Nursery. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Meredith Funeral Home in Carbondale assisted the family with arrangements. To leave a story or memory of George, visit meredithfh.com.