James A. Shearman

CAMBRIDGE - James Andrew Shearman, 73, died Friday, June 15, 2007, at Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge.

Born Feb. 12, 1934, in Hannibal, Mo., Mr. Shearman was the son of the late Abbott V. Shearman and Lola "Dodie" Shearman. He attended Hannibal public schools and was a 1952 graduate of Hannibal Senior High School.

He married Betty Lou Whitley of Ilasco, Mo., on May 16, 1954. The couple had three children.

Mr. Shearman was employed by Western Publishing Co. from 1955 until his retirement in 1996. Beginning in the paste-up department, he became paste-up foreman and later a customer service representative, working on the printing of a wide range of books and other publications including Little Golden books for children and almanacs. He moved from Hannibal to Cambridge in 1973 when he was transferred by Western. At the time of his retirement he was an account manager.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1958 and was an instructor in the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Ga., where he was honored for his work in preparation of an official Army electronics manual. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Private First Class.

His hobbies included reading, playing the piano and home improvement projects. Jim was also an accomplished wood worker.

Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Betty L. Shearman of Cambridge; two sons, J. Craig Shearman and his wife Constance L. Monitto, M.D. of Ellicott City, Todd Shearman and his wife, Terry of Easton; a daughter Julia M. Johnston and her husband, Doug of Des Moines, Iowa; five grandchildren, James and Lauretta Shearman of Ellicott City, and Erica, Ashley and Charles Shearman of Easton; three sisters, Linda Mosley of Hannibal, Carol Hull of Madison, Wis., and Kathleen Cornelius of Hamilton, Ill.; a special aunt, Hildreth Haydon of Hannibal; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at White Marsh Cemetery, Trappe.

Pallbearers will be Douglas Johnston, Todd Shearman, Craig Shearman, Ray Loyd, Larry Stevens and Jim Murphy.

To send letters of condolences, please visit www.curran-bromwell.com