HAGERSTOWN, MD—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, W.Va., to Cyrus Walter and Oleta Catherine (Phillips) Shahan, the 10th of 11 children. He was graduated from Parsons High School, Parsons, W.Va., 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’s in education. He was employed at Eggleston 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.
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 Rev. Dr. Eric T. Myers of Frederick Presbyterian Church, Frederick, Md., officiated graveside services on Saturday, October 23, at Rest Haven Cemetery, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Boulevard North, Hagerstown.
