A Funeral Mass for Robert "Bob" Joseph Shannon, 88, of Newark, will be held at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:30 A.M., Friday, January 30, 2015, with Fr. Jonathan Wilson as celebrant. Inurnment and military honors will be held at a later date in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Bob died at Arlington Care Center on Sunday, January 25, 2015. He was born in Newark, Ohio on February 10, 1926 to the late Andrew J. and Marguerite (Mueller) Shannon.

Bob, a 1944 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School, enlisted in the Army and served during WWII as a bookkeeper in Germany during occupation and rebuilding. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

He worked at Rockwell for 30 years as a Quality Control Inspector and was the financial secretary of local 1037 United Auto Workers for 22 years. Bob retired in 1981 and served as secretary of the union retirees advocating for labor rights, and was active in the Democratic Party.

Bob was a faithful parishioner of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament and volunteered with St. Vincent DePaul. He sang for many years with the Land of Legend Barbershop Chorus and was instrumental in organizing "Christmas Central" with his wife Mary Jane. As an avid bowler in multiple leagues, Bob was the secretary of the American Bowling Conference and was inducted into the Licking County Bowling Hall of Fame.

Bob married Mary Jane (Slater) Parrish, a widowed mother with two sons, Steve Parrish of Utah and the late Daniel Parrish. Bob and Mary Jane had two children: Susie (Dan) Daubenmire of Thornville, and Joe (Sue) Shannon of Purity; 4 granddaughters, Rachel Tyhurst, Mary Cupples, Vanessa Shannon and Lori Kronewitter; 2 grandsons, Tim Bodle and Brandan Daubenmire. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Susan Shannon of Zanesville, and Tom and Pat Shannon of Knoxville, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jane (Slater) Parrish Shannon; and step-son, Daniel Parrish.

Friends and family may call from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M., Thursday, January 29, 2015 at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, where a Vigil Service will be held at 7:30 P.M.

Bob was a stable influence in the lives of those he met. His family, his church, and the union retirees will all miss him. To share your memory of Bob, or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.