Obituary of John Shinham

Died December28, 2014 at Brookline, Juniper Village in State College. Born February 23, 1922 in Greencastle, son of the late J. Elmer and Katherine Stouffer Shinham. He was a graduate of Greencastle High School, 1941. Served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Bomber Division in the European Theatre of Operations from 1942 to 1945. He was employed by Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, and by Hicks Chevrolet in Greencastle for 34 years. He married Bernadine (Pat) Ann Finnegan on June 13, 1942 at Corpus Christi Church in Chambersburg. She pre-deceased him in 2010. They were married 68 years. He and Pat moved to State College in 2004, to be closer to family. He is survived by two children, John (Larry) Shinham and his wife Sandra of State College; and Sister Kaye Shinham, SSJ of Wilmington, DE; two grandchildren: J. Christopher Shinham (Jenay Robert) of Bellefonte, and Lisa (John) Shenk of State College, five great-grandaughters; Katherine and Victoria Shenk, Gabrielle and Cassandra Shinham, and Sylvia Immel; one great-great-grandaughter, Raelyn; a twin sister Frances (Betty) Kerchner of Greencastle, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was instrumental in establishing St. Marks Catholic Church in Greencastle. He served as president of the Parish Council and was a lifelong member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Council 1426. He was a volunteer with the Greencastle Rescue Hose Company, and a member of the VFW and the American Legion Post 373. He liked hunting, especially at the family cabin in McConnellsburg; fishing at the old mill on Shinham Road, and anything to do with flying small aircraft. He had many great friends, and a faithful group that he called "his little bit of heaven" that met at McDonalds in State College most afternoons. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mark's the Evangelist, 395 South Ridge Ave, Greencastle, PA Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11:30 am. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the Service at the Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the sisters of St.Joseph, St. Joseph Villa, 110 West Wissahickon Ave, Flourtown, PA 19031; or St. Mark's the Evangelist, 395 South Ridge Ave, Greencastle, PA 17225 Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.