Engine shut down while driving and dash cluster turned off?

The day before this happened wouldn't start. After a few hours of sitting, it started and ran normally again. The check engine light was on, which it does from time to time. I was not concerned, as when I had it checked in the past, I was told it was fine.
When I was driving the engine shut down (no power steer) and the dash cluster (tachometer, speed, fuel) shut down. I was able to use my turn signal and pull off the road. I put the car in park. The radio and heater were still on. I turned off the radio and turned the key to the off position. I called for a tow truck. When the tow truck came, I tried to remove the key and I couldn't get the key out. Then I tried to turn the key on and put it in neutral and the gear shift wouldn't move. The tow truck driver said the battery still had a charge and the alternator was good. He thought maybe it was a fuse. I checked all the fuses, and they are all good.

I had a similar situation a few months ago when the van wouldn't start. I had it towed to a shop. They said the battery was bad and I had a bad terminal cable. Still wouldn't start. Then they said it was the starter. They replaced the starter and starter wire. It had been running good up until now. I'm not sure what to do but can't afford to have a shop do repairs that are not the actual cause of the problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jackie