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February 10, 2011
Herbert “Herb” Murray Shotwell, 83, of 2774 SR 4002, Mehoopany, Pa. (Jenningsville), passed away at the Mercy Hospital in Scranton Thursday morning, February 10, 2011, after being taken there on Wednesday.
Herb was born in Kunkle, on August 13, 1927, a son of the late Murray and Marion Sickler Shotwell. Immediately following going to high school, Herb enlisted in the Merchant Marines and later served his country with the U.S. Army from December of 1945 until August of 1948, serving in the European Theater in Germany. Also while in the Army, he played baseball with the Army military team in center field. Being a very good baseball player, he would later be drafted by a number of teams, including the Cincinnati Reds.
After being discharged from the service, he came back to the Tunkhannock area and married his sweetheart, the former Shirley C. Jones, on March 28, 1949. All of his life, Herb was a plaster mason, and a self-employed general contractor, working in many states, from Florida to Pennsylvania. Over the years, he worked on many projects – big and small – and for many contractors throughout the area.
Herb loved being surrounded with his family and many friends and loved to have a good time. He enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events and school activities.
He was a member of the Rought Hall Post No. 510 American Legion in Black Walnut, Pa., and the Endless Mountains Post No. 3583 V.F.W., of Mehoopany, Pa.
Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Clesson Shotwell; and a sister-in-law, Alfreda Shotwell.
Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Shirley C. Shotwell, of Jenningsville, Pa.; his daughters and their husbands, Shirley and Harold Bullock, of Jenningsville, and Jeannie and Mel Collins, of Harrisburg, Pa.; his sons and their wives, Gregory and Karen Shotwell, of Factoryville, Pa., and Timothy and Ann Shotwell, of Laceyville, Pa.; also his 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers and their wives, Lorne and Marge Shotwell Sr., of Punta Gorda, Fla., and Dale and Carol Shotwell, of Lovelton, Pa.; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Jenningsville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jean Swett, of the church, officiating. Interment will be in the Vaughn Cemetery in Mehoopany, Pa. Family and friends may call at the Sheldon Funeral Home, Main Street, Laceyville, from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday. Military services will be conducted at the Jenningsville United Methodist Church on Tuesday morning, preceding the funeral service, with the members of the Endless Mountains Post No. 3583 V.F.W.; the Rought Hall Post No. 510 American Legion, and the Dennis Strong Post No. 457 American Legion of Tunkhannock, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial donations to the Laceyville Public Library, PO Box 68, Laceyville, PA 18623.