Shannahan, Joseph

Joseph J. Shannahan, 90, of Williamsburg, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, at his home, surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 10, St. Mary's Catholic Church, Williamsburg with Father Joseph Roost officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Williamsburg, with military honors. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, St. Mary's Parish Hall, Williamsburg. There will be a VFW Service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be contributed to the charity of the donor's choice. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is in charge of arrangements.

He is survived by his daughters, Sandy Weldon (Jim) of Oxford, Marcy Wardenburg (Kent) of Williamsburg and Julie Corman (Dan) of Broomfield, Colo.; eight grandchildren, Aimee Weldon Pitlick (Gary) of Oxford, Allison Donovan (Shawn) of North Liberty, Andy Weldon of Oxford, Tony Wardenburg (Kristi) of Roxborough, Colo., Kelly Vesey (Chris) of West Des Moines, Shannan Corman (Stephanie) of Northglenn, Colo., Ryan Corman of Durango, Colo., and Ashandra Corman of Broomfield, Colo.; and 15 great- grandchildren, Katie, Kyle, Tess and Taylor Pitlick, Addison and Jack Weldon, Regan and Finn Donovan, Brody, Rosie Lu, Dezi and Macy Wardenburg, Gavin and Landon Vesey, and Madison Corman.

Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Ruth Shannahan of Williamsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, "Katie" in 2011; a daughter, Teri Shannahan; a granddaughter, Tara Wardenburg; three brothers, Newman (Dorothy Jean), Eugene and James Shannahan; and three sisters, Mary Agnes Shannahan, Marguerite Shannahan and Dorothy (Frank) Matern.

Joseph James Shannahan was born Feb. 15, 1923, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Thomas and Regina Gallagher Shannahan. He graduated from Williamsburg High School with the class of 1941 and served in the U.S. Army for three years, stationed in the South Pacific. Joe returned home and married Kathryn Gallagher on May 10, 1949, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He owned and operated Joe's Tavern in Williamsburg for 22 years and also was a rural mail carrier for 28 years.

Joe served with the Williamsburg Fire Department for 25 years, serving as chief for four years. Joe was a lifetime member of the Iburg-Poulson VFW Post 8797 and the American Legion. He belonged to the 503rd PRTC (attending annual reunions) and the N.A.R.F.E. and the Rural Letter Carriers Association. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Williamsburg.

Joe was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's events. He also enjoyed the Iowa Hawkeyes and "The Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.