Service Details
Due to the worldwide health pandemic, a private Celebration of John’s Life and Homegoing will be held at Greater Grace Temple Church of God In Christ on Monday, April 13, 2020, 11:00am with Pastor Jerry Cornett officiating. Live-streaming will begin at 10:45 via the live stream link below. Private burial for the family will follow at Graceland Cemetery. A memorial repast celebrating John’s life will take place at a later date when it is safe for family and friends to gather.
The stream link is https://youtu.be/ewUWNXP2Xbw Click on the link OR copy and paste the entire URL into your internet browser.
Please email all resolutions, letters of condolence and proclamations to Leslie Barry-Scales Funeral Director at leslie@dlfh.net or call 262-321-7516 for any further information. Cards may be mailed to the family in care of Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd., Racine, WI 53405
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Brother John Lester Shannon Jr. ~ The fourth son of the late Minister John Lester Shannon Sr. and Missionary Willie Jane Young-Shannon was born March 10, 1930 in Olive Branch, Mississippi. As a young boy growing up in Mississippi, John picked cotton along with his siblings, assisted on his parent’s farm and attended DeSoto County schools. He accepted Christ at an early age when Olive Branch Church of God In Christ was just a clearing in the woods. He left home at the early age of 14 moving to Memphis, Tennessee where he lived with an uncle and older brother while working odd jobs.
On May 7, 1949 John was united in marriage to Eva Blanche Caldwell-Shannon of Stanton, TN. To that union 5 daughters and 1 son was born. In 1951 the family relocated to Racine, Wisconsin where John worked at Lakeside Malleable as a core maker and stand grinder. In 1958 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Monterey, California. In 1961 he received an honorable discharge and returned to his family. He continued working at Lakeside for a total of 20 years while also working security at Walker Manufacturing in the evenings and weekends. In 1972, just before Lakeside closed their doors, he joined J.I. Case Co. as a setup man and crane driver.
John was a member of Grace Temple Church of God in Christ, where he served on the trustee board. After becoming a widow in 1979, John met and married Edna E. Rutherford, a fellow church member, on May 24, 1980. He continued to work for J.I. Case until his retirement in 1992, after which, he worked for the Racine Unified School District as a hall monitor at Wind Point School. In 1998 they relocated to Memphis, TN and became members of St. Luke’s Church of God in Christ in Olive Branch, MS where he was member of the male choir. He worked as a security guard and retired shortly after Edna’s passing in 2008. Due to health reasons, John returned to Racine in 2017 and lived with his daughter Maxine. He looked forward to his periodic trips to visit family and friends in Memphis.
John was a family man and loved attending church and family functions. He enjoyed kidding around, laughing and joking. He was a jack of all trades and master of a few; self-taught mechanic, carpenter and all around handyman. From flooring, drywall, paneling, masonry, and more. He was well known for his cooking skills including pancakes, tea cakes, pineapple cakes, canning, cornbread dressing, home-made jelly and ice cream. He was also a sharp dresser known for his suspenders, Stacy Adam shoes and Dobbs hats.
He leaves to cherish his memory; son, John L. Shannon III; daughters, Katherine Shannon, Maxine Shannon, Margaret N. (Jerry) Smith, of Racine, WI and Gracie M. Shannon of Lewis Center, Ohio; stepson, Wayne Rutherford; siblings, Willie Mae Shannon, Thelma L. Martin, Bernice Askew, Claude Shannon, David (Thelma) Shannon, Joseph L. (Sandra) Shannon, sister-in-law, Ida Shannon of Memphis, TN; 21 grandchildren, 78 great grandchildren, 23 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and a host of in-laws in both the Caldwell and Rogers family. John will be greatly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.
John was preceded in death by his parents; two spouses; sibling, Wilbert Sr., George W., Charlie W., Clyde Ester, Annie Mae, Murry F. and Preston O’Neal Shannon; daughter, Melody L. Shannon; stepdaughters, Louise McKinney and Pat Carr; granddaughter Kaylin Cornett and great-grandson Donte’ Shannon.
The Shannon family would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartfelt thank you for every expression of sympathy. Your calls, texts, flowers, and other deeds of kindness shown during this time of bereavement are greatly appreciated; especially the doctors, nurses and entire staff at Froedtert hospital for the loving attention shown to both John and the family while he was under their care.
Elders Johnny and Lynda Jackson says
Please accept our condolences! Bro. Shannon will be missed, but he left a legacy for family and friends. We are Praying for the family.
Kim Cline (colleague) says
Gracie,
My sincerest condolences for you and your family. Your father has gone on to get his reward and rest eternally with the Lord. What a wonderful thought, knowing he lives forevermore in the presence of God. Praying the peace and comfort only God can provide during this very sad time.
Melissa A Sallee says
Gracie, I am sorry for the loss of your father. My condolences.
Melissa
Dwight and Pamela Turner says
Sending prayers and our condolences to the Shannon Family. 🙏🙏
FRIENDS OF DISTINCTION says
WITH OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
D Armstard says
My thoughts & prayers to the Shannon family.
Dorothy Bizzle an Family says
Sending my deepest condolences to Shannon family praying for comfort and strength in loss of your love one
John & Sherryl Hines says
Gracie,
You are in our prayer. Praying that God gives you strength and great memories in the loss of your dad.
Your family,
Walter & Vallie Rogers says
Vallie and I extend our deepest sympathy and pray that you will look to God who is a comforter in times like this.
Barb (John) Mendez says
John and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Shannon family.
Christopher C says
Sorry for your loss,
V.Harris says
Rest in Peace Bro Shannon. My condolences to the family. A good man, with a strong faith. I remember him and Mother Shannon awesome power couple. Ninety years wow what a beautiful blessings.
Marlene Hiler says
Rest in peace Uncle John I will remember the last visit I had with you it was very pleasant it was always a good conversation I will miss you but, you are at rest now.
Love and Miss you
Marlene
Marlene Hiler says
Prayer for the family asking God to give you all comfort in your time of loss praying for all of you.
Love Marlene
Mr & Mrs Bird Ivy says
Prayers and condolences to you Maxine and your family, may you find peace and comfort through theses trying times. Mr & Mrs Donnie Ivy
Nanette Adams/Mrs Hinton says
My Condolences And Prayers To The Shannon Family May God Bless You All
Anonymous says
Peacefully rest.Mr Jr… Your work on earth is done.. Time to walk around heaven.. Love ya!
Wanda Smith & Family
Rev. Merdis Hudson says
My prayers are with the Shannon family during this difficult time.
Paula Boykin says
Sincere condolences from the Boykin family Paula and Lillian praying that God comforts all of you
Kay Nolan says
You will be miss daddy Shannon. Kay Nolan and sisters
Ken and Shirley Ford says
Gracie we are so saddened to hear of the transition of your dad to Glory! Please know Ken and I have you and the family in our prayers! As soon as this crisis is over we will be In Ohio until then know we love you so much!
Edward Hooks Jr. says
🤴🏽I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 💪🏾
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown 👑 of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV
I am keeping you all lifted up Shannon Family, may you all be STRENGTHENED 💪🏾 in this TIME & know that GOD, has got you all in CARE through it all. Ain’t no mountain ⛰ Higher.
💚😇💙
Love You All to LIFE, Ed 💚
Gary M. Cobb says
May y’all find peace and comfort in the coming days. You have my sincere condolences.
"Q" aka Kevin Jackson El says
I am so glad I got the chance to see Grandpa again during this past family reunion. He was full of energy and made me and my wife chuckle with his fondness of her. You will be truly missed! “Death is no enemy to man, it is a friend who, when the work of life is done, it cuts the cord that binds the human boat to earth that it may sail on smoother seas.” H.K. M.S.T.of A. Journey well Grandpa
Kathryn Liggins says
To the Shannon family and my classmate / life friend Margaret Shannon Smith vyour in my daily prayers and Condolences to you all your dad was always so sharp may he rest in his arms.
Joyce Shelton Smith says
Sorry for your loss. Praying for all the family. R I P.
Anonymous says
Gracie
You and your family have my sincere condolences. Praying that God continues to comfort and give you and the family peace.
Awanda
Christopher k Mayfield says
Rip great granddad you laughter and lessons will here always
Dora Simpson says
Our prayers are with you
Our Family
Amanda Mayweather says
I’m so sorry for your loss my God be with the Shannon family
Mr & MS Allen smith says
My condolences to Shannon family
Dafabian says
Grandpa we miss and love you so much! Your voice will continue to ring loudly in the ears of all of us
Daris J Gilliam-Hodges says
My sincerest sympathy and deepest condolences go out to the entire Shannon family. May God strengthen you all during your time of need.
Hope says
Ik hou van jou!
Je t’aime!
Ich liebe Dich!
Ti amo!
Aishiteru!
Sarang hae!
Eu te amo!
Ya lyublyu tebya!
I am not sure which language angels speak but Grandpa I love you!
Doris Ingram-Jones says
To the Shannon family, you have my heartfelt condolences with the passing of Bro/Deacon Shannon…I loved him with the love of God…I called him Deacon, because that is the way he carried himself. I will miss seeing his affectionate smile, his wise conversations…but, “he fought the good fight, he has finished his course”…my prays are with you…may his memory live in ours hearts always…
Les,Daisy,Gloria and Wilma says
You all are in our prayers,he was a wonderful brother in law
EDWARd Renald Sartin Dr. says
I Love you guys. Oh how my uncle has done a good job for us. He has laid his roots and we have grown to have leaves from the branches he was blessed to create. I Love you uncle for distance cannot take away the Love I have gained from you and our family. I will miss seeing you but will always keep a piece of you close in in my ❤️ and soul. Whenever I think of peach cobbler I will always remind myself the last piece is for you. I Love you and Family I Love you. Miss seeing all of you. Let’s keep in touch……. Much Love
Amia Carol Chones. says
You have my deepest sympathy Shannon family and my love.
Crittenden, McCowan, and Walker Family says
From Mansfield, Ohio
We send our sincere sympathy to the entire family!
Linda C. Fuqua and Family says
Gracie, Maxine, John and Kathy. I am so sorry for your loss. To have such a wonderful father gives you great memories and true love in your hearts. It is still heartbreaking and sad. I send you my condolesents and prayers. I wrap my arms around you all and tell you I love you all. We are family forever. I am glad I had the pleasure of meeting your Dad on several occasions. He was always smiling. Stay close to your memories.
Anonymous says
SENDING HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY