Bert Clayman "Ed" Shanower, 1923-2012

Bert Clayman "Ed" Shanower (1923-2012), circa 1944. Used with permission.

I never met my second cousin twice removed Ed Shanower, although I've met his daughter, son-in-law, and one of his granddaughters. Our common ancestors were Ed's great-grandparents John and Polly Shanower, whose grave I showed a picture of here in a previous posting about a pizza restaurant owned by one of Ed's grandsons.

Last Friday, November 23, 2012, Bert Clayman "Ed" Shanower, of New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, passed away at Community Hospice House in New Philadelphia. He was eighty-nine. I knew he'd been in and out of the doctor's office in recent months, but death is always a blow to the family and friends remaining.

Here's some information about Ed Shanower's life, drawn mainly from his obituary:

Ed, as family and friends called him, was born September 23, 1923, in Burton, Ohio, to Olen Earl Shanower (1887-1970) and Cora Edith Mathias Shanower (1892-1977). He joined the United States Army in 1944 and served as an Infantryman during World War II in the Central European and Asiatic-Pacific Theatres. On August 23, 1947, Ed married Dola Jean Zimmerman (1929-2010) at her family's home. They were married for sixty-two years until Dola's death two and a half years ago. Ed worked for many years as a mechanic at the Ford Garage at Sugarcreek, Ohio. Later he operated the Walnut Creek Sohio Garage where many recall his service. He ultimately retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation in New Philadelphia. He belonged to the Baltic American Legion, the Baltic Conservation Club, and the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia. He enjoyed playing golf at Five Waters and playing cards with his family.

He's survived by his children; many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; nine of his eleven siblings; and lots of nephews and nieces.

The funeral, with military honors, was earlier today in Dover Burial Park. A reception followed in the Hospitality Room of the Dover Geib Center. You may honor Ed's memory or light a virtual candle in his name by visiting his permanent memorial located on the Geib Family Funeral Home's website here. Memorial contributions in Ed's name may be directed to The First United Church of Christ, PO Box 422, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663, or to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

My thoughts are with Ed's family. I offer my condolences to all who knew him. I thank Rocky Shanower for permission to post the photo of Ed above.

You can read Ed's full obituary on this site.