David E. Shaw, 90, went to his eternal home in Heaven surrounded by his loving family on Saturday July 31, 2021. He was greeted there by his wife and daughter.
Dave was born to Thomas and Alma (Burris) Shaw on July 15, 1931, in Gideon, Missouri. He was the 4th of 12 children.
Dave met the love of his life, Dolores G. “Cookie” Shaw, in February of 1950 at the Glenwood Cafe in Pontiac, Michigan. They married on October 7, 1950, in Angola, Indiana. Two years later, they had their first child, Catherine (deceased) (Harvey) Ardman, proceeded by Jeffery (Denise) Shaw, Cynthia Cunningham, and Jennifer (Joseph) Wegner.
Dave worked at General Motors for 39 years as a tool and die maker, as well as being a robotics instructor. He was later sent to Japan to train others in robotics. After his retirement from GM, he volunteered at Carey Services and was later employed by them for 10 years.
He was an active and selfless man who spent much of his time volunteering, including coaching track and field at Bennett High School, leading a cub scout troop, and working in the food pantry at St. Martin’s. He did landscaping for St. Paul School and Church, picked up trash at Matter Park, and delivered Meals on Wheels for 30 years. Dave was also recently honored by the City of Marion as the Champion of the Month. He enjoyed knitting and crocheting hats that he donated every winter. He macramed chairs and dog beds that he donated to the Marion Grant County Humane Society Resale Shop, and he loved making Christmas light globes for everyone he knew during the holidays. He was an experienced gardener and made the best zucchini bread.
Dave and his late wife, Cookie, were avid Marion Giants fans, long-time season ticket holders, and even hosted film viewing parties for the basketball team catered by McDonald’s. They also spent time caring for Tricia Reitler’s memorial at Indiana Wesleyan University. He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church.
Survivors include his sister, Betty; children; grandchildren: Derek (Erica) Cunningham; Tiffany (Eric) Felver, whom he considered his own children; Molly (Woody) Couder; Michelle (Ben) Johnson; Cynthia Ardman; Dustin (Kasondra) Shaw; and Michael Shaw; great-grandchildren: Shawne Evarista “Evie” Tracy, who was the light of his life; Caleb and Caiden Felver; Audrey and Landon Couder; Graham Johnson; Ella, Vera, and Jaxon Shaw; and FreyOnna, Wycklynd, and Stormie Shaw.
Also left to honor his memory are special niece, Madonna (Larry) French; former neighbor who was like a daughter, Gina Frajola-Doyle; long-time pal, David Piper; four-legged friend, Pupcake; and honorary family members, Maria Siwik and Kristy Working.
The family would like to thank Dr. James Orrell for loving and caring for Dave; Dr. Keith Lilamoe, formerly of IU Medical Center, for the extra 14 years with Dave Shaw; and Visiting Nurses of Fort Wayne for their extraordinary care and compassion in Dave’s final days.
The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Thursday, August 5, 2021, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1031 Kem Rd., Marion, IN.
Immediately following the time of visitation, a mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am. Father Ted Rothrock will be officiating.
Arrangements are entrusted to Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, North Chapel, 1341 N. Baldwin Ave., Marion, IN.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: MGCHS Resale Shop, 2225 Westwood Square, Marion, IN 46952 or Meals on Wheels, 624 S. Adams St., Marion, IN 46953.
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