Ona Belle "Babe" Shannon
June 23, 1925 — January 5, 2023
Ona Belle “Babe” Shannon (nee Hilyard) of Lancaster, Ohio, died Thursday, January 5, 2023 at the age of 97.
She was born June 23, 1925 to Ray "Duke" and Alice Faye (Kelsey) Hilyard and was a 1943 graduate of Rushcreek Memorial High School. Babe worked as a bookkeeper for Reichhold Chemicals in Bremen, Ohio, and after she retired she continued to keep the books for the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church of which she was a lifelong member.
Babe enjoyed many activities during her life. She and her husband toured Ireland and took numerous RV trips around the United States. Babe also traveled to many bridge tournaments to earn the title of Ruby Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. This was a hard-earned recognition of which she was extremely proud. When she wasn’t playing bridge Babe had a needle and thread in her hands. She painstakingly embroidered or cross-stitched numerous table linens and quilts which she lovingly gifted to her family and friends. As an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan Babe cheered on her Buckeyes or scolded them (loudly) if they didn’t play up to her standards! Babe also enjoyed collecting Erickson, Fenton, Heisey and depression glassware, and had several displays in her home which were described in an appraisal as “one of the finest collections we have ever seen.”
Ona Belle was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, John E. Shannon Jr; former daughter-in-law, Donna (David) Shannon; daughter-in-law Cris (David) Shannon; parents, “Duke” and Faye Hilyard; sibling, Robert Hilyard; nephew, Jeffrey Hilyard; in-laws, John E. Shannon and Myrtle M. Shannon; sister-in-law, Cleta (Shannon) Solt; and brother-in-law, James Shannon.
She is survived by 2 sons, David and Michael (Linda) Shannon; 4 grandchildren, Mathew Shannon, Lauren (Chico) Matin, Rebecca (Pete) DeWeese and Rachel (Chris) Terlop; 3 great-grandchildren, Daiton Ferency, Brody Shannon and Josephine DeWeese; nephews, Chris (Barbara Garner) and Brian (Kris) Hilyard; sister-in-law, Carol Hilyard; brother-in-law, Gary (Peggy) Shannon; many other nieces and nephews; and Alice Lewis, who was especially devoted to her comfort and well-being.
A visitation will be Wednesday, January 11th from 10 AM – 11 AM at the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be at the church at 11 AM. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Ona Belle’s memory to the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church 142 Purvis Avenue Bremen, Ohio 43107.
Online condolences at www.morganfuneralhomeohio.com
She was born June 23, 1925 to Ray "Duke" and Alice Faye (Kelsey) Hilyard and was a 1943 graduate of Rushcreek Memorial High School. Babe worked as a bookkeeper for Reichhold Chemicals in Bremen, Ohio, and after she retired she continued to keep the books for the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church of which she was a lifelong member.
Babe enjoyed many activities during her life. She and her husband toured Ireland and took numerous RV trips around the United States. Babe also traveled to many bridge tournaments to earn the title of Ruby Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. This was a hard-earned recognition of which she was extremely proud. When she wasn’t playing bridge Babe had a needle and thread in her hands. She painstakingly embroidered or cross-stitched numerous table linens and quilts which she lovingly gifted to her family and friends. As an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan Babe cheered on her Buckeyes or scolded them (loudly) if they didn’t play up to her standards! Babe also enjoyed collecting Erickson, Fenton, Heisey and depression glassware, and had several displays in her home which were described in an appraisal as “one of the finest collections we have ever seen.”
Ona Belle was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, John E. Shannon Jr; former daughter-in-law, Donna (David) Shannon; daughter-in-law Cris (David) Shannon; parents, “Duke” and Faye Hilyard; sibling, Robert Hilyard; nephew, Jeffrey Hilyard; in-laws, John E. Shannon and Myrtle M. Shannon; sister-in-law, Cleta (Shannon) Solt; and brother-in-law, James Shannon.
She is survived by 2 sons, David and Michael (Linda) Shannon; 4 grandchildren, Mathew Shannon, Lauren (Chico) Matin, Rebecca (Pete) DeWeese and Rachel (Chris) Terlop; 3 great-grandchildren, Daiton Ferency, Brody Shannon and Josephine DeWeese; nephews, Chris (Barbara Garner) and Brian (Kris) Hilyard; sister-in-law, Carol Hilyard; brother-in-law, Gary (Peggy) Shannon; many other nieces and nephews; and Alice Lewis, who was especially devoted to her comfort and well-being.
A visitation will be Wednesday, January 11th from 10 AM – 11 AM at the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be at the church at 11 AM. Graveside services will follow at Grandview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Ona Belle’s memory to the Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church 142 Purvis Avenue Bremen, Ohio 43107.
Online condolences at www.morganfuneralhomeohio.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ona Belle "Babe" Shannon, please visit our flower store.