Robert Shanahan

Robert Shanahan, age 79, of Shawnee, Kansas, died Friday, January 4, 2008 at Shawnee Gardens, Shawnee, Kansas. He was born October 14, 1928, in Iola, the son of Thomas E. and Calla B. (Allen) Shanahan. Robert grew up in Iola attending school there and the Iola Junior College. Robert married Ruth Chatterton on February 8, 1953 in Iola. Robert was a C.W.O. in the Kansas National Guard, before working for the Iola Water Department, Sinclair/Atlantic Richfield Oil Company, and then completing his career with Texas Utilities of Dallas, retiring in 1992 after 21 years of service. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Iola, Kansas, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Richardson, Texas. After moving to Arkansas he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista. While in Richardson, Texas he was member of the Kissin Kousins Square Dance Club. Robert enjoyed wood working, rock polishing, and birding. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, E. Eugene. Robert is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruth, of Shawnee, Kansas; two daughters, Deanna Watson and husband, Mark, of Cochiti Lake, New Mexico, and Teressa Carlton and husband, Mark, of Cedaredge, Colorado; two grandchildren Justin and Haley Carlton; three sisters, Elizabeth Wilson of Neodesha, Kansas, Nellouise Sherman and husband, Jerry, of Lawrence, Kansas; Jane Gleason and husband, Jerry, of Iola,Kansas; one brother, John Shanahan and wife, Patricia, of Lake Worth, Florida. He will be missed by his nieces, nephews, and many close friends. The family wishes to especially thank the staff of Shawnee Gardens Healthcare for their kind and loving care during the past year.