John R. Shanahan

John Raymond “Jack” Shanahan, 91, of Sedalia, passed away Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital in Columbia.

He was born September 15, 1934, in Britton, South Dakota, son of the late Raymond Sylvester and Esther (Dittel) Shanahan. On October 1, 1958, in San Diego, California, he married the love of his life, Shirley Joan Farnam, who preceded him in death on April 13, 2005.

Jack served his country honorably in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1972, attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He served during Vietnam, worked as a recruiter, and was a member of the funeral honors team. He was especially proud to have visited every ocean in the world during his years of service.

After retiring from the Navy, Jack worked for Union Carbide and General Dynamics before settling in Sedalia. His neighbor, a manager at AutoZone, talked him into working part-time there for a couple of years before he decided to retire for good.

In high school, Jack was the South Dakota State Champion in marbles He also worked as a pin setter at a local bowling alley, an experience that began a lifelong love of bowling. He participated in many tournaments over the years and was proud to have won the highest bowling series at a state tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In later years, when he could no longer bowl, he continued to enjoy watching professional bowling on TV.

Jack was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and attended Sacred Heart Chapel, where he served as an usher. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and took great joy in delivering meals to others.

In his younger years, Jack loved fishing with his dad in Canada; and later fishing off the coast of San Diego for yellowtail and salmon and cod fishing off the coast of Rhode Island. In retirement he enjoyed fishing trips at Truman Lake.

Survivors include a son, Derrek Shanahan, of Carver, Massachusetts; a brother, Anthony Shanahan, of Sedalia; two sisters, Jane Frazier and Jeri Preston, both of Vermillion, South Dakota; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by five children, Douglas Shanahan (1964), Danene (Jarvis) Shanahan (2013), Dodi Shanahan (2002), David Shanahan (2018), and Darren Shanahan (2025); and two sisters, Joy and Judy.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Heckart Funeral Home.