Edward Shea 1872 - 1960

SHEA, GIBBS, DANFORTH, WHITEMAN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/1/2018 at 09:01:54

The Onawa Sentinel
28 April 1960

Obituary Of Edward Shea

Edward A. Shea, a longtime, respected citizen of the Blencoe community, died at his home on Monday night, April 18, 1960. He was born near Primghar, Iowa on October 29, 1872, the son of Harriet Gibbs and Edward Shea. With Frank Bowie he came from River Sioux to open a store in Blencoe in 1898. Later he became the sole owner, giving to Blencoe one of the first general stores in the county. In later years he operated stores in Onawa, Moorhead and Missouri Valley. For more than 25 years he was secretary of the Blencoe School Board. On May 11, 1911 he became a member of the First Congregational church and having a pleasing tenor voice was a member of the church choir. He was a director and stockholder of the Blencoe State Bank.

Mr. Shea was an ardent baseball fan and at one time played on the Blencoe team. He will perhaps be best remembered for the pleasant relationship between himself and the customers he served for so many years. His interest in the community and his pleasant personality made for him many friends. On June 12, 1907 he married Lillian Danforth who passed away on November 17, 1936. He was married to Miss Jennie Whiteman on June 1, 1939, who now survives him.

Besides the widow he is survived by one sister, Miss Nettie Shea of Moorhead, Iowa; two brothers John Shea of Sioux City, Iowa, and Walter Shea of Dunlap, Iowa; several nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

With the passing of Mr. Shea, one more of the earliest pioneers of Blencoe is laid to rest. Funeral services were conducted in the First Congregational church on Thursday, April 21, at 2:00 p.m. His pastor, Rev. Vern R. Willey, conducted the services, assisted by his wife, the Rev. Adora Willey, and the Rev. Everett Epperson of Onawa. Mrs. Dick Cartmell and Mrs. Gordon Rock sang "Jesus Savior Pilot Me", and "Abide With Me", accompanied by Mrs. Gene Carlson at the organ.

Honorary bearers were Bern Danforth, C. M. Hitchman, Edwin Hitchman, Harry Nielsen, Hugh Gray, Carl Nickoliasen, Leslie McElwain, Ford Bigelow and Carl Crom. The active bearers were Ralph Lindley, John Comfort, C. A. Cartmell Clinton Sisson, Gordon Rock and Walter Krohn.

Interment was in the Graceland cemetery at Blencoe, with arrangements by the Pearson funeral home.