Two Former Wheaton College Football Teammates Drowned Saturday

An Ada man died Saturday after he and a friend drowned in Lake Michigan near Grand Haven. Jalen Shaffer, 26, of Ada, was identified by the Detroit News as one of two victims who died at the scene of the water emergency on June 13.

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office responded to a call around 1:15 p.m. near the south pier of the Pigeon Lake Channel in Port Sheldon Township. Dispatchers received a report of two people struggling in the water by the pier, according to a sheriff's office release.

Bystanders attempted to rescue the men but were unsuccessful, police said. First responders pulled both men from the water and began life-saving measures. Both were declared dead at the scene.

Wheaton College Teammates Lost Together

Shaffer and Philip LoChirco, 24, of Warrenville, Illinois, were former teammates at Wheaton College in Illinois, according to the Detroit News. Shaffer played linebacker and LoChirco played defensive lineman for the Division III program.

"They were brothers, teammates, and friends whose lives left a lasting impact on Wheaton football," Wheaton College football coach Jesse Scott said in a statement released by the school Tuesday. "Both Jalen and Phil were great examples of what it means to be Wheaton football players: men who pursued excellence in what they did on and off the field, but more importantly, men who wanted others to know and love Jesus and who were fiercely committed to their faith."

Shaffer graduated from NorthPointe Christian High School in Grand Rapids before playing four seasons in five years at Wheaton College. He earned all-region and all-conference recognition as a senior, according to the Detroit News. He graduated from Wheaton in 2022.

LoChirco played three seasons over four years at Wheaton and graduated in 2023.

Family and Community Mourn

Shaffer's father, Joel Shaffer, posted on Facebook that he worked on staff at Bridge Street Ministries in Grand Rapids.

"(He) made an eternal impact on the lives of his students and everyone he became friends with," Joel Shaffer posted. "He was truly one of the most godly men I've known in my life. ... (I) was so proud of him, especially when I saw him pour his life into the next generation of disadvantaged yet high-potential youth in our city. Pray for us, but also pray for his students at Bridge St. Ministries."

A GoFundMe page for Shaffer's funeral expenses had raised nearly $40,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Detroit News.

An obituary posted on Echovita listed Shaffer as being born on April 18, 2000. He is survived by his parents, Joel and Sherilyn Shaffer, and four siblings: Tiera, Kyler Dunn, Sahara, and Ashlyn Shaffer.

A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, June 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Berean Church at 1574 Coit Ave NE in Grand Rapids. A celebration of life will follow on Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. at the same location, according to the obituary.

Ongoing Investigation

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said the incident remains under investigation. The sheriff's office was assisted on scene by the Port Sheldon Township Fire Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, according to the Holland Sentinel.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project reported 18 drownings in the Great Lakes in 2026 as of June 5, including eight in Lake Michigan, according to the Detroit News.