Robert F. “Bob” Shenal, Sr. 84 of Mannington, died on Monday, July 11, 2011 at the West Virginia Veteran’s Nursing Facility in Clarksburg, WV where he had resided since 2009.
He was born on May 23, 1927 in Rachel, the son of the late Mike and Mary Strincosky Shenal. He attended Downs Elementary and Farmington High School where he played football for the “Fighting Farmers”. Bob joined the Navy in 1945. He participated in Operation Crossroads aboard the USS Telamon at Bikini Atoll which conducted nuclear testing for the atomic bomb. After serving in the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters, he returned home to graduate from high school.
Bob retired in 1985 from the JoAnn Mine in Rachel as a hoist engineer and lampman, the job he inherited from his father. He enjoyed the camaraderie with his fellow employees as well as the “Rachel Gang” hanging out in the coal camp. They went on many hunting and fishing trips to the mountains. He also played sandlot baseball and softball in the city league.
On February 16, 1952 he married Helen Wyckoff of Grafton and they lived in Rachel for a short time before moving to Mannington.
Bob was a master of many trades as he worked around his house doing landscape work, carpentry and growing vegetables and flowers and later helping his children with many projects at their homes.
He often referred to this Polish heritage and he enjoyed home cooked meals, especially pies. He always said he only liked two kinds of pie, “hot” and “cold”. For several years Bob bowled in the Fairmont league where he made many friends. Bob took pleasure in taking his son hunting and fishing and they went to Canada with their buddies several times. After his retirement he enjoyed yard sales and flea markets where he collected many interesting items. Bob was also a member of the Mannington Moose Lodge, the Mannington Elks, and the U.M.W.A.
Bob is survived by his wife Helen, his daughter, Kathy Daniel and her husband Tom of Katy, his son Bob Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Metz. Grandchildren include Whitney Daniel Losacker and husband Brandon of Oceanside, California, Erin Daniel of Savannah, Georgia, Derek Daniel of Katy and Eli Shenal of Metz. Bob had two great-grandchildren, Noah and Isaac Losacker of California. Also surviving is his sister, Dolores Manzo of Monongah, brothers and sisters-in-law Jack and Betty Shenal of Mannington and Dick and Josephine Shenal of New Washington, Ohio. Preceding him in death was a brother-in-law, John “Duke” Manzo.
Friends may call at the Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Mannington, WV on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 2-9:00 p.m. and also on Thursday, July 14, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 P.M. in the funeral home with Chaplain Johnny Payne officiating. Burial will follow at the Viewpoint Cemetery in Rachel, WV. Full Military Honors will be conducted at the graveside by the Marion County Military Veterans Council Honor Guard and the United States Navy Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Tom Daniel, Whitney Losacker, Erin Daniel, Derek Daniel, Eli Shenal, Ron Blankenship, George Brian Blankenship, and John M. Manzo. Condolences may be left for the family at mastersfuneralhomewv.com.
Condolences
To the family of Bob Shenal:
My deepest sympathy in the loss of your loved one. I remember Bob playing sports at Farmington High School. He was a good athlete.
May your "memories" fill your heart and keep you close.
God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Carol (Yost) Godby
With my deepest sympathy, will keep you in my prayers. Always remember the good times and they will keep you strong during the bad times.
It was a pleasure meeting Mr. Shenal at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility and being able to serve him as part of the dietary staff. I was also surprised to find out we were related on his wife's side of the family through an aunt, Edna Wyckoff. He will be missed.
Thank you for allowing us to provide care to such a wonderful person. No matter how Bob was feeling he seemed to always manage to remember my name and ask me how I was doing. We will miss Bob as he was a very caring person.
May the God of all comfort be with Mrs. Shenal, the children and all those who knew Bob and were a part of his life.
I feel honored to have known Mr Shenal. He was a wonderful man that always had a smile on his face,and a sparkle in his eye. My deepest condolences to all family and friends of Mr Shenal. May God bless you all in your time of need. He will be deeply missed and not forgotten.
Sending our deepest sympathy. Remembering you in thought and prayer.
Please know that others are thinking of you and praying for your wonderful family.
So sorry for your lose.
I always enjoyed talking with Mr. Shenal. He would ask how I was. When I asked him how he was doing he would say 50/50. What a pleasure to know him at the WV Veterans Nursing Facility. Just read his obit today. I left the day he died because of death in my family. May God bless you with great memories. .
Janet Chapin
WITH OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN THE ELEVENTH HOUR.