H. Lester "Les" Shinaberry

H. LESTER “LES” SHINABERRY

H. Lester “Les” Shinaberry, went home to be with the Lord on July 20, 2023. Born June 24, 1927, at Leesport, Pennsylvania, to Mildred Price Shinaberry and Jay F. Shinaberry.  He was the 3rd of 4 sons, John W., George L., and Francis L. Shinaberry.

On May 9, 1948, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Edwards.  From this marriage there were 4 children, Leslie L. (Shirley) Shinaberry of Dennison, Cheryl J. (Ron) Gibbons of Pickerington, Gregory L. (Cindy) Shinaberry of Uhrichsville and Lisa L. (Rich) Johns of Uhrichsville.  There are 12 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

He was a member of the Rush Church of the Nazarene, Sunday School Superintendent for 20 years, church secretary for 24 years, a Sunday School teacher for 68 years, past Young Peoples President, Chairman of the Sunday School Board for many years and a past head trustee and church board member.

He was elected to Claymont Board of Education for 12 years and served as president of the board twice.  In 1996, he served on Rush Christian Board of Education and was vice president of the board for 7 years.

He was a member of Twin City Chamber of Commerce (Uhrichsville-Dennison) for many years and served as president 2 times.

He was a member of the Twin City Merchant organization and served as a president.  He organized the P.R.I.D.E. Program in 1967 (Participating Residents Interested in Developing the Environment).

Mr. Shinaberry enjoyed many sports and also was an avid hunter.  He loved to work in the garden and especially enjoyed raising potatoes and sweet corn.,

He was a past member of the Tuscarawas County Red Cross.  He was employed as a store manager at Sears in Uhrichsville for 21 years.  He was an insurance agent for 12 years for the Prudential Insurance Company of America.  During his tenure at Prudential he achieved the designation of L.U.T.CF (Fellow).

After retiring from Prudential Insurance Company, he became an insurance agent and adjuster for Eastern Ohio Mutual Insurance Company.  He worked in this capacity for 25 years.

In 1945, he graduated from Uhrichsville High School.  He entered the U. S. Army in 1945 and served in the European Theatre of Operations.  Prior to going to Berlin, Germany, he took C.I.D. training in Romilly, France.  After the special training he was transferred to Berlin, where he served in the 759 M. P. Battalion as a desk sergeant.

In his later years he called his wife, “Mama”.  Two days before he died he spoke his last word.  He said “I love you Mama”.

Special thanks to all the caregivers and the nurses and aids from hospice.

Funeral services for Les will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Rush Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor Brett Warkentine  and Pastor Richie Johns officiating.  Burial will follow with military graveside services at Evergreen Cemetery in New Philadelphia.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Uhrich-Hostettler English Funeral Home, Inc. in Uhrichsville and one hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Rush Church of the Nazarene, 4941 Rush Church Rd., Uhrichsville, Ohio, 44683.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of H. Lester "Les" Shinaberry, please visit our floral store.