Submitted by: Dan Rich

William Shannon Jr.

Jan. 7, 1926 - June 29, 2002

South Bend Tribune 7/3/2002

William Shannon Jr., 76, of Scenic Drive, passed away Saturday, June 29, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind. He was born Jan. 7, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., to William Sr. and Alice (Delaurie) Shannon, who both preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Stewart Shannon; his foster parents, Elbert and Nettie Hummer; and by a foster sister, Hazel Finch.

He was married to Darlene (Troutman) Shannon on April 6, 1958, in South Bend. He worked for Northwest Airlines, retiring in 1983 after 28 years. Bill is survived by one daughter, Sue Matthys of South Bend; five sons, Tom (Nickki) Coleman of South Bend, Jim Coleman of Bremen, Ind., Don (Kathy) Coleman of Lakeville, Ind., Mike Shannon of South Bend and Bob (Josette) Shannon of Mishawaka, Ind.; 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and by a brother, Jack Shannon of Melrose Park, Ill.

Bob was a singer and performer with a local jazz band, "Johnny Humphries" of the Prairie Steak House and LH INN in the '40s and '50s. He was an avid sports fan. He liked the Chicago White Sox, the Bears, and Notre Dame football. His last request was to see the White Sox play in the World Series. His zest for life was an inspiration to all of us. He had a way of making everyone he met feel comfortable. He was also a veteran, serving with the U.S. Navy.

Family and friends called between the hours of 2 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, in the ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 South Mayflower Road, South Bend. Services will be held at 11 a.m. today, July 3, in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Sumption Prairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association of Northeast Indiana, 802 West Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802-3996; or to the Macular Degeneration Association, c/o THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Visual Sciences Center MC 2114, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637-9959.