Theadore Steven “Steve” Shannon Jr., 76, was born June 26, 1943, and passed away Sept. 17, 2019. He lived a full and wonderful life. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at the Centralia Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is a fitting location as he and his father were builders of the church that he is to be honored in.
Steve was a lifelong Christian man and if only one word was used to describe him, it would have to be Christian. Those that knew him would also describe him as generous, intelligent, peacemaker, hard working, honest, selfless, determined, wise and a man of action always planning and getting things done.
He married his high school sweetheart, Wilma, June 30, 1963, and together they raised four children, Rick, Andrea, Ted and Rebecca. The family went to church every week and Steve made sure his kids had a Christian education and his family never went without. He taught his kids by example that honesty and hard work are how you live.
Over the years, Steve built hundreds of homes working with his father, and then transitioned into running his own business operating heavy equipment from which he retired several years ago. He was known for fairness and excellent workmanship in his business. Steve earned a reputation of being a true master on the bulldozer and rightly so. After the passing of Wilma in July of 2001, he lived alone until the Lord led him to find a new partner, Edee, whom he married in October of 2003. Together, they have shared life up until the final moment of Steve’s time on Earth. Edee had known Steve since childhood and they shared a deep devotion to their church and helping those around them.
Steve was very active with the church over the years. He went on 23 separate church building mission trips and became an expert at feeding large groups of people. He would plan, orchestrate and help prepare meals, at times feeding hundreds of people. He was excellent at planning and making things go right. Some of his hobbies include being a pilot of small fixed-wing planes, taking film photos and developing them, picture framing, gardening, identifying birds, traveling the world, doing burnouts and cruising in his 1962 Chevy and always sharing a good sense of humor.
He is survived by his wife, Edee Shannon; children, Rick Shannon, Andrea Mahn, Ted Shannon and Rebecca Teitzel and son-in-law, Alan Teitzel; grandchildren, Jesse, Jettero, Haley, Taylor, Kyleigh, Samantha, Steven, Connor and Mya; and two great-grandchildren, Nareenah and Keyanna.
A whole book could be written on his life, but this is not it. He would appreciate us keeping it simple. He did live a life of selflessness. Steve left those that knew him, and the world in general, better off with his actions. His life is an inspiration to do good in the world and help those you can. Steve will be truly missed by his family and hundreds of people he called friends.
