Ernest Shannon

Ernest Warren Shannon, 93, of McPherson passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at his home, McPherson. He was a farmer and worked in construction. He also worked at El Dorado Industries in Minneapolis and retired from Great Plains Manufacturing in Salina.

Ernest was a WWII Army veteran, serving in the Pacific. He received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.

Ernest was born on January 28, 1918, in Lamar, KS, the son of Ivan M. and Lucinda (Bennett) Shannon. He attended Central College in McPherson. On July 23, 1941, he was united in marriage to Iva Grace Wheeler at the Antioch Church near Oak Hill, KS. She preceded him in death on May 13, 1987. On December 27, 1987, he married Vesta L. (Allison) Gary in Miltonvale, KS.

He was a member of the McPherson Free Methodist Church and Life Member of the V.F.W.

Survivors include: his wife, Vesta of the home; sons, Wes Shannon (Sherleen) of Ellis, KS and Norman Shannon (Elizabeth) of Kansas City, KS; step-son, Frank Gary (Marlene) of Branson, MO; step-daughters, Coleen Mills (Leonard) of Springfield, MO and Elaine Morehead of McPherson, KS; 13 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, step-mother, Rose (Wirtz) Shannon; sisters, Olive Shannon and Nellie Eisenhower; and two grandchildren, Stephanie and Norman.

The funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 26, 2011, at the McPherson Free Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Griffith, Rev. Deborah Somerville, and Rev. Fred Hobson officiating. A graveside service will be at 1:30 PM, Monday, at Highland Cemetery in Minneapolis, KS with Military Honors. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, Sunday, at Stockham Family Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

Memorial donations may be given to the Free Methodist Church or Central Christian College of Kansas in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ernest Shannon please visit our Sympathy Store.