Jalen Shaffer

Selfless, fun-loving, passionate, and always on the lookout for his next adventure, Jalen Shaffer lived a life rich in family and friends. He exemplified what it meant to follow after the Lord he loved, living out his faith in word and deed. There was nothing that made Jalen happier than spending time with those he loved, and his warm, steadfast presence was a light to so many.

His generosity touched countless lives as he went above and beyond to serve in ways big and small, and he strove each and every day to be the best son, brother, and friend. Already so greatly missed, Jalen will be forever loved, and his memory will be treasured for many years to come.

Jalen Truth made his entrance into the world on April 18 of 2000, welcomed by his overjoyed parents, Joel and Sherilyn (Rohrer) Shaffer.

Growing up, he was one of four children in the Shaffer home and was raised alongside his three sisters, Tiera, Ashlyn and Sahara. Even as a child, Jalen possessed a calm, steady personality. Jalen loved playing with his cars and dinosaurs. He would even play with his older sister Tiera and her Polly Pockets, guarding her toys with his dinosaurs and army figures. Tiera and his mother, Sherilyn, played a significant part in introducing him to Jesus and helping him understand the gospel, through which he trusted Christ for his salvation. A favorite summer tradition for the Shaffers was spending quality time with extended family on summer camping trips to Silver Lake, where they enjoyed bonfires, board games, and fun with relatives.

Jalen’s love for sports has always been evident. At just 18 months old, he would stand in front of the TV watching football with a football tucked under his arm, already showing a strong interest in the sport at such a young age. Jalen had a passion for all kinds of sports, and he got involved with several throughout his childhood. He enjoyed playing flag football with his cousins (Gio and Joe), and he played soccer for a time, but quickly realized that his heart belonged to football.

Jalen also played basketball and ran track, mainly to build the strength and speed needed to play running back and linebacker in football, eventually earning all-state honors his senior year. From Kindergarten through 12th grade, he attended Northpointe Christian and graduated with a 3.76 GPA. Northpointe established a Christian Worldview where the Image Mandate, the Love Mandate, and the Mission Mandate were ingrained into his life and character.

Those who knew Jalen personally know how truly intentional he was in his relationships. He developed a deep close relationship with both his mother and father, closing every evening spending quality time with them. As he and his sisters grew up, he loved finding different ways to connect with them, from joining choir so that they could take a class together to sitting down and watching a Disney movie with them. To Jalen, his relationships with his sisters were precious, and he took great care to keep his conversations with them uplifting and positive. He also nurtured close bonds with many friends and mentors throughout his life (too many to count). Jalen surrounded himself with people who built him up and brought him closer to the Lord.

Jalen’s faith was the firm foundation of his life. His roots were planted as a boy, attending church regularly, including New City church, where he was baptized. Many of Jalen’s teachers and classmates at Northpointe were wonderful influences on him as well, pushing him in his walk with the Lord. Recruited as a Linebacker, Jalen pursued further education at Wheaton College, growing as an athlete and as a Christian. One of the greatest joys in his life was playing football alongside his cousin, Gio Weeks for four of his five years. In his 4th year at Wheaton, he led all NCAA divisions in punt blocks with six. In his final year, he led Wheaton's defense with eighty-Six tackles. But more importantly, his coaches and teammates at Wheaton challenged him to step fully into his faith as a Christian leader. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,

Jalen made an impactful trip to Uganda with a dozen of his Wheaton teammates. He was able to use his gifts and talents to serve others cross-culturally, making the experience a truly unforgettable step in his journey of faith.

During his summers, Jalen found jobs in various fields of work to keep himself busy. He renovated houses with friends, and he worked in manufacturing for a time as well. One of Jalen’s summers was spent working as a camp counselor at Lake Ann with two of his other cousins, Joseph (his best friend) and Jasmine Weeks. He was able to pour into the youth of the camp while continuing to push himself in his faith as well. In his free time, Jalen was an avid reader of both nonfiction and fantasy. Some of his favorite series included The Chronicles of Narnia and Stormlight Chronicles. Although Jalen was grateful to eat just about anything except for salad, he especially loved pasta, chicken wings, stromboli, and chocolate milk. He had a close circle of friends (Joe, his Brother-in-Law Kyler (his other best friend), Gio, Deckland, Raydale) who were his greatest source of joy and support, and time spent with those friends or with his family was time well spent. Jalen was a great listener, but he also spoke truth with a wisdom beyond his years. He was an “Old Soul.” He had a remarkable way of making sure those around him knew just how much they were loved.

His love for God and others led him to his employment with Bridge St. Ministries, where he works with marginalized, high-potential urban middle school youth. He served there for the past three years. While part of his job included administration and accounting, he also loved serving as the assistant site director of Resurgance’s Northside program. This allowed him to build deep, loving relationships with his students that pointed them to Jesus. He loved supporting these students outside the program. He showed up at their school and sporting events, and was one of the leaders who took them halfway across the country to KAA Sports Camp. He enjoyed the deep, Christ-filled relationships he built with his co-workers at Bridge St. Ministries and other urban ministries in the neighborhood. This included his Navigator Missionary friends and mentors throughout his life, Davien and Rodella Fizer.

As we gather to reflect on the life and legacy of Jalen Shaffer, it is easy to celebrate a young man so determined to live each day to the very fullest. He never let a blessing slip by unnoticed, and as a powerful role model of kindness and humble service, he cared for those around him with empathy and tenderness. Jalen’s family was undoubtedly his greatest treasure. His loyalty towards his loved ones was fierce, and his love was unconditional towards all. Although life will not be the same without Jalen here with us, he leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that his friends and family can forever hold close to their hearts.

Jalen Shaffer, age 26 of Grand Rapids is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior. His earthly worship is complete and his heavenly worship has just begun.

He is survived by his parents, Joel and Sherilyn Shaffer; siblings: Tiera & Kyler Dunn, Sahara and Ashlyn Shaffer; grandparents: Tom & Connie Rohrer, Gaylord & Marilyn Shaffer; aunts and uncles: Michelle & Chris Weeks, Linda & Jeff Woodhouse; cousins Ginger Weeks(Alex), Joseph Weeks, Giovanni Weeks (Sadie) and Jasmine Weeks (Christopher), Nathan Woodhouse, Kimberly & Will Kinkley, Nicholas & Hannah Woodhouse, Adrienne & Karsten Bergmeier, Anna Woodhouse; as well as his Wheaton College “Brothers” and numerous close friends.

Jalen was preceded in death by his grandma, Joyce Rohrer.

The service to remember and celebrate Jalen’s life will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 11 AM at Berean Church. (Come dressed as Jalen would, casual attire preferred!) Friends are invited to visit with his family on Thursday from 4-7 PM at the church. For those who wish, memorial donations to either Bridge Street MInistries or Wheaton College Football are appreciated.