Harley Shannon's Obituary
Harley Van Shannon, son of Harley Wayne “Dock” and Mary Vivian Upshaw Shannon, was born February 28, 1930, near Drury, Missouri. He departed this life April 17, 2010, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of eighty years, one month and nineteen days. On September 5, 1959, he was united in marriage to Norma Shirley Rader, and to this union three sons were born. He is preceded in death by his father, and his sister, Barbara Stapp. Harley Van is survived by his loving wife, Norma, of the home; three sons, Doug Shannon, and his wife, Robin, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Joe Shannon, and his wife, Debbie, of Denlow, Missouri, and Danny Shannon, and wife, Deanna, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; his mother, Mary Vivian Shannon, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Matt and his wife, Christina, Nathan, Josh, Christopher, J.D., Holly, Austyn, Walker, Erica, Holly and Tasha; six great-grandchildren; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews, who were all very special to him; as well as several other relatives and friends. He hauled his first load of cattle to St. Louis at age seventeen. After high school, he served his country faithfully in the United States Marines, stationed in Hawaii. After he returned home from his military service, he worked throughout his life in agriculture. In 1957, until the late 60’s, Dock and Harley Van owned and operated the Douglas County Livestock Auction and he began his career as a successful farmer and stockman--a tradition now carried on by his sons. He later owned and operated the Shannon Plant Food Feed and Fertilizer Co. and continued to build his own farm and stock operation. He served on the Board of Directors of Boatmen’s Bank in the 1980’s. At the time of his death, Harley Van attended the First Christian Church in Mountain Grove, Missouri. He was widely known as a man of integrity. He lived in a world where a business transaction was handled with a “handshake and a smile.” He loved spending time with his family and friends. As the years passed, he never missed an opportunity to play a joke on a friend or stranger and reminisce of “simpler” times. He never lost his love for the farm or being outdoors and was always ready to spend time with family and good friends. In his later years, he enjoyed taking long drives to check his cattle and view the countryside-- his favorite drive was weekly trips to the sale barn in Ava. Harley Van will be remembered as a caring husband, father, grandfather and friend. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday April 20, 2010 at the First Christian Church in Mt. Grove. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation is Monday evening 6-8:00 p.m. at the church under the direction of the Holman-Howe Funeral Home Lebanon, Missouri. A memorial has been established to the First Christian Church Building fund. Donations may be made through the funeral home. Return to top
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