Obituary

Shaw, Theodore Wesley (Ted), 70, Johnstown, born November 16, 1940; a born again citizen of heaven went ‘home’ Monday, February 14, 2011.

He was deeply devoted to his parents, John Wesley, and Lucille Shaw (Ickes), both now in heaven, a loving brother to his siblings, and deeply loyal to the many that were privileged to know him as a friend.

He was also preceded in death by his Brother Robert (Bob), and his sisters Marion and Jane. He is survived by his sisters Ellen (Lorrie) Mechenbier and her husband Rich, Susie Forney and her husband Ron, and, his brothers Donnie and his wife Barbara and Jack and his wife Grace.

Ted was a gentle soul with love and respect for his fellow man; having no children of his own. He was often referred to as ‘teddy bear’ by his sibling’s children, grand, great, and great-great grand children. He loved them dearly, and not one of them was ever bashful in letting him know how very much they loved him; they will miss him dearly.

Ted was involved, for most of his adult years, in the coal industry, which encompassed strip-mining, and maintenance of and/or fabrication and construction of coal-processing facilities.

One of the places our family lived in while growing up holds precious memories a little wooden cabin nestled in the woods near a covered bridge. The memories are truly precious, although life there was anything but easy, especially for ‘Mom’, with seven of her eight children still at home. From the coal fired ‘cook stove’ on which she cooked meals, to the pot-bellied ‘coal stove’ in the living room, which never, ever heated the entire house, to coal oil lights, and an outside ‘privy’. Our mother had her hands full 24/7. But those hands were also filled with an abundance of love for each one of us.

It’s strange how adversity will often direct us providentially. I remember the day we children learned the dreadful news that our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We watched as dad quickly accepted a neighbor’s invitation, many times turned down before, to bring us all to church.

It was an awesome experience, from the bright florescent lights to the dazzling red carpet to the beautiful music and singing and the compelling stories of Jesus’ love. Through the years that followed most all of our family members, accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and Lord, Ted included. There’s no question that a rich Christian heritage has followed him the remaining years of his life and that he is now with God and those whom have gone on before forever.

Friends received from 11am until time of service at 1pm Friday at Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 1521 Frankstown Rd. Rev.’s David Howden and James Gay, officiating. Inurnment will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Hindman Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., is the “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.”