On Nov. 20, 1966, he was the first born of Stephen and Jane Smith Shriver. Growing up he shared his childhood with two sisters, Tina and Beth. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1985. To pursue his life dream of becoming a teacher and coach, Shriver continued his formal education at Purdue University. He graduated in 1990 with a BS degree in secondary education. He continued on at Purdue University Fort Wayne, where he earned his master’s degree in administration.

On June 15, 1991, at the Fulton Baptist Temple, he married the love of his life and best friend, Fleetie Jane Emery. Their union produced four wonderful children. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessing of a beautiful granddaughter, Emery.

In 1990, Shriver initiated his teaching career near Richmond. Returning home to Fulton County, for the past 29 years he taught government, economics and other social studies, commanding the attention of his students with many innovative lessons of life and learning. He conveyed a lifelong influence on the students lives he touched. Mr. Shriver, affectionately known as “Shrive,” co-founded the real life learning experience “Farm to Fork,” bringing livestock onto the Valley campus that he and his students raised while learning a special blend of economics and agriculture.

Coach Shriver served as Valley’s head football coach from 2006-13, compiling a 47-34 record, while guiding the team to three Three Rivers Conference titles in 2006, 2011 and 2012. Shrive was one of Valley’s assistant coaches during other TRC title years in 1993, 1994 and 2004 and sectional championship team in 1992. He was proud to coach the Unified Flag Football team to 2018 sectional and regional titles and a state finals appearance, and a 2019 sectional championship.

At home, Shriver was passionate about his family and farming. He was an enthusiastic and proud supporter of all his family’s endeavors. They owned a herd of fine Hereford cattle and he thoroughly enjoyed bailing hay with family, friends and recruited football players. He always loved getting a good deal at an auction.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife: Janie, at home; children: Stephanie Paige (Drew) McCulley, Hartford City; Shayleigh Nicole Shriver, West Lafayette; Benjamin Smith Shriver, Elkhart; a granddaughter: Emery Jane McCulley; his parents: Steve and Jane Shriver, Rochester; sisters: Tina Ford (fiancé Christian Holford), Alexandria; and Beth (Adam) Smith, Kewanna; nine nieces and nephews: Shelby, Abby, Caleb, Wilson, Maggie, Tara, Tristan, Morgan, and Kyle; two brothers-in-law: David (Donna) Emery, Macy; and Doug (Tricia) Emery, Lafayette.

Preceding Jeff in death are his son: Stephen Doyne Shriver on Aug. 11, 1995; grandparents: Margaret Smith, Jan. 28, 2012; Herbert D. Smith on May 30, 1986; Mary Shriver on May 30, 1994; Don Shriver on Aug. 2, 1991;  in-laws:  Luella Emery on Jan. 19,  2012; Doyne Emery on April 30,  2018; and sister-in-law: Julie Emery Bailey on Jan. 31, 2012.

A celebration of the life of Coach Jeffery S. Shriver will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, at the Tippecanoe Valley High School, 8345 SR 19, Akron. Pastor Rodney A. Eiler and Dr. Mark Spencer will officiate.  His family will receive friends from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, and an hour prior to services on Monday. A private family burial will take place in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made to the Jeffery Smith Shriver Memorial Fund through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation,  227 E. 9th St., Rochester, IN 46975. This fund was initiated from the generous support of his colleagues, friends and community associates at the community benefit hosted by Valley last week. Jeff’s family requests sharing a written memory or a picture when coming to the visitation or service. Online expressions of memories or stories may be made to Jeff’s family at his TVHS address [email protected].