John W. Shallenberger, 87

CLAYTON - John W. Shallenberger of Clayton passed away Monday, Jan. 22, 2007, in Courtland Manor Nursing Home, Dover. He was 87.

He was born Dec. 3, 1919, in Shelbyville, Ill., son of the late Jesse and Augusta Shallenberger.

Mr. Shallenberger was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star. In 1945, he was honorably discharged from the 386th Fighter Squadron with the rank of first sergeant.

He owned and operated a gas station in Clayton for many years and later was self-employed as a contractor, building many homes in the Smyrna-Clayton area. Prior to retiring, he was employed by Southern States Co-op in Middletown and Clayton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Eleanor Shallenberger; two brothers, Wilburn "Webb" Shallenberger and James "Bud" Shallenberger; and two sisters, Jeane Heinz and Opal Jackson.

He is survived by two daughters; Lynn Bowers and Joy Schuyler, both of Clayton; and five grandchildren; Josh Bowers, of Bentonville, Ark., Jennifer Bowers, Amanda Van Arsdall, Rebekah Van Arsdall and Nathan Schuyler, all of Clayton.

Services will be held 2 p.m. Friday in Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where friends may call at 1 p.m.

Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Smyrna Wesleyan Church, 433 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, DE 19977.