Merl E. Shawver, 91, Hardworking, Loving Husband
Merl E. Shawver, age 91 of Lorain, died Sunday June 29, 2014 at the Kingston of Vermilion.
He was born December 9, 1922 in Des Moines, IA and moved to Lorain as a child.
He was a 1941 graduate of Clearview High School, and worked as an airplane mechanic during World War 2 in the Army Air Corp from 1942 to 1946. Merl worked at Lake Terminal Rail Road in the 50’s where he was the Vice President of the union there. He then worked at the American Ship Yard as a boiler maker, where he became the President of the Boiler Makers Union.
He belongs to Lorain Lighthouse United Methodist Church (formerly Delaware Avenue United Methodist Church), the American Legion Post 30, and the Lorain Masonic Lodge.
After retiring, he and his wife Eileen spent their winters in Englewood, FL, where he was the neighborhood handy man. He and his wife Eileen loved to travel and to have their children and grandchildren visit them in Florida. They would never fail to take their visitors to Disney World, Universal Studios, Babcock Ranch , or Busch Gardens.
Merl was a very good woodworker, making dining room tables, entertainment centers, dressers, desks, numerous shelves, clocks, and picnic tables, not only for their use but for his children and friends. He loved the local professional sports teams especially the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Merl is survived by his sons Robert of Pinellas Park, FL, James (Helen) of Lorain, Ken (Pegi) of Lorain, Richard (Phyllis) of Flint TX, Jack (Karen) of Lorain, Fredrick of Lorain, , Merl T. of Healdton, OK, Dennis (Karen) of Lorain, and Doug Shawver of Lorain.
Daughters Merleen Kampf of Peoria, AZ, Marilyn Poltrone of Lorain, and Penny (David) Storrie of Elyria. 29 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren, and a sister Mary Underwood of Lorain.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years Eileen K. Shawver (nee Beal) in 2008, a daughter Pamela Jo Friedl, a sister Mildred DeMarco, and parents Merl E. and Lucile (nee Reeves).
Friends may call Saturday July 5th from 6 PM till time of funeral service at 8 PM at Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home, 2920 Broadway Lorain. Chaplain Chuck Boals will officiate. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery with military honors conducted by the VFW Post 451 and the American Legion Post 30. Memorial contributions if desired can be made to Lorain Lighthouse United Methodist Church, 3015 Meister Rd., Lorain, OH 44053