Ex-Marion mats coach Shaffer dies

By J.R. Ogden

 The Gazette   When you think of Marion High School wrestling, a former Indian wrestler wrote, you think of Loyd Shaffer. Contact the writer: (319) 3688696 or

jr.ogden@gazcomm.com  Longtime friend and former assistant Dave Messerli said that statement hit the nail on the head “without a doubt.” “Someof the funnest memories I have are teaching and coaching with him,” Messerli said Friday.   Shaffer, who coached the Indians to 13 Wamac Conference tournament titles and 10 dual crowns during a 25-year run as head coach, died Wednesday after a short illness.   A visitation will be held today from 1 to 5 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion.   He would have turned 67 on Monday.   On the outside, Shaffer looked the part of wrestling coach - a big, gruff man.   On the inside, he had a soft spot, Messerli said, was a prankster and “a fun guy to be around.” “He really liked the kids,” Messerli said. “He was very, very easy to talk to.” Shaffer, who worked on the football and girls' track staffs at Marion, coached 73 conference wrestling champions, 15 state place-winners, two state champions and 28 other state qualifiers.   “The countless wrestlers, football players and students that have had the honor and privileges of knowing him and being his student, player and friend ... he will be truly missed,” former wrestler Donald Royer Sr. wrote in a letter to Marion principal Gregory Thomas.   Shaffer, a Maquoketa High School and Coe College graduate, started his coaching career at Marion in 1965.   He retired in 1997.   Shaffer hired Messerli as his assistant when Messerli was coaching a couple of eighth grade sports.   Messerli, who later became Marion's head football coach, had no wrestling experience.   “He was willing to take me on ... he gave me my first shot at the high school,” he said. “Boy, it was fun.” Messerli, 58, said he feels like he lost a brother.   “He meant an awful lot to me,” he said. “He's one of the best friends I'll ever have.”