Donald B. Shahan
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Donald B. Shahan, 92, of Hagerstown, MD passed away on Wednesday, October
20, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Donald was born at home in
St. George, WV to Cyrus Walter and Oleta Catherine (Phillips) Shahan, the tenth
of eleven children.
He was graduated from Parsons High School, Parsons, WV in 1946. He enlisted
in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and was assigned to the USS Huntington. He was
awarded the World War II Victory Medal. In 1952, he was graduated from Davis &
Elkins College with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. He was employed
at Eggleston, VA middle-high school. Later he was employed at the Washington
County, MD Health Department as a Sanitarian from 1953-1959. He was a
teacher at Smithsburg Middle and Boonsboro Middle schools and the Washington
County, MD Outdoor School. He retired from the Washington County Board of
Education in 1978. Through the years he built a number of houses including his
own family homes.
He obtained his Private Pilot Certificate in 1980 and enjoyed flying his Cessna 172
well into his eighth decade. He was a member of Morris Frock American Legion
Post 42, and The Presbyterian Church, Hagerstown, MD.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by five sisters: Elena Owens, T.
Gladys Luzier, Icy Sampson, Juanita Blackburn, and Catherine Shahan (infant), and
five brothers: Blondel Shahan (infant), Michael Shahan, V. Allen Shahan, H. David
Shahan, and Robert Shahan.
Donald is survived by his wife, Johanna Biddlecomb Shahan and his children:
Donald Shahan, Jr., Ann Blessing (James), Maria Sowers (William), Philip Shahan,
and Emily Failes (Bryan), eight grandchildren: Jennifer Popp (Chris), Catherine
Clear (Jim), Ellen Goodrich, Philip Shahan, Jr. (Kelsey), Kristin Shahan, Christine
Brugh (Wade), Craig Fuss, and Sarah Fenwick (Cy); and five great-grandchildren,
Riley, Nora, Henry, John, and Colton.
The Reverend Dr. Eric T. Myers of Frederick Presbyterian Church, Frederick, MD officiated graveside services on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at
Rest Haven Cemetery, 1601 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, MD. Arrangements
have been entrusted to the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. N., Hagerstown,
MD.