Vernelle S. (Stonesifer) Shannon

Houghton ---Vernelle S. Shannon of 1000 Maplewood Drive, Bridgeport, WV and a former resident of Houghton died November 21, 2015, in Bridgeport, WV, following a brief illness. She was born Feb. 19, 1927, in Waynesburg, KY, the first of five daughters of H. Clifton Stonesifer and Elgie Singleton Stonesifer. On December 21, 1957 in Akron, OH she married Frederick D. Shannon who survives.

She was a graduate of Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) and the University of Akron. She served 34 years as a public elementary school teacher, first in Akron, OH, later in Rushford and Fillmore, NY. She and Fred lived in Houghton, NY, most of her adult life; the past few months she resided in Bridgeport, WV.

Vernelle was an active member of the Houghton Wesleyan Church and Sunday school. She was also active in the Houghton Area Senior Citizens group and the Fillmore Central School retired teachers group. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and they often traveled with friends or other family members to Ireland and many places in the U.S. and Canada. She was an avid reader, with interests in history, theology, and biographies. She was a keen observer and lover of nature, especially birds and wildflowers. She loved to cook and entertain, offering gracious hospitality to hundreds of visitors to their home.

Surviving in addition to her husband are a son, Dale (Robynn) Shannon of Buckhannon, WV, four younger sisters, Willena (John) Rawdon of Akron, OH, Agnes Marks of Akron, OH, Shirley (Phil) Rohrbough of Muskegon, MI, Waneta Alexander of Spring Lake, MI, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may gather from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 27, 2015 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Houghton Wesleyan Church. Rev. Dr. Wesley Oden, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Houghton.

Memorial gifts if desired to: Houghton Academy, Houghton College, or Houghton Wesleyan Church.