Above: From left to right: Martha Vanta-Morrow, Eleanor Shahan-Freese, Betty Shields-Dickey, Elsie Shahan-Lane and Don Dickey. (Betty's husband)
Uncle Bennie By: Betty E. Dickey June 3rd, 1997
We said goodbye to a friend today Didn't want him to go, but he couldn't stay He left his loved ones and those he held dear And went to a better place then he ever had here.
Dovie, Hattie and Bessie had been there awhile And when he saw them, he gave them a smile He loved everyone, He had stories galore And when he told them, you waited for more.
The eldest of seven of the Shahan clan Then came four sisters, and he thought, "O man." I'd sure like a brother, just one would do Then along came Ira, his wish had come true.
He taught him things he knew from his past And he watched him grow, it seemed very fast. Then Harry was born, another new brother And they shared their love and fun with each other.
One day I said, "I'd just like to know." "Are you the smartest?" He laughed and said, "No." "That would be Harry, he's the youngest you see." "And he learned everything from both Ira and me."
His friends were many He welcomed them in When they stopped at his house To pay a visit to him.
He loved to play cards Loved to hunt and fish Being with friends and family Was his everyday wish.
Chuck and Ira and Mary lou And me and Uncle Bennie too Spent many a Friday playing cards together Never worried about the inclement weather.
Sometimes we lost Sometimes we won But one thing for sure We always had fun.
He could balance a wheel Or align a car, that's a fact You knew when you left Scgraders you wouldn't have to go back.
He took a trip to Alaska He had wanted to go And he came back with great stories And pictures to show.
He was twenty three when he first met me I was just a new born baby, you see He said, "She's the prettiest baby, I think I have met." But of course he didn't have his own children yet.
He always did love me And he put up with me When I'd go to Greenville To spend time with Lee.
The good times are just memories We will always hold dear And every once in a while We will shed a small tear.
We will miss him a lot But God makes no mistakes And we'll see him again When that journey we take.
Because our God giveth And God taketh away So we pray for the lost And we wait for that day.
So here is my thought You can buy for a penny I want everyone to know I really loved Uncle Bennie.
Benny Shahan (center) with Lester Shields (right)
The Family of Gladys and Benny Shahan...
The Family of Dovie and Lester Shields...
The Family of Hattie and Holt Harsh...
The Family of Ida and Hoy Shahan...
The Family of Bessie and Arthur Vanta...
The Family of Mary Lou and Ira Shahan...
The Family of Helen and Harry Shahan...
Front: David Shields Second Row: Betty Shields, Butch Shields (Baby), Leona Shahan, Eleanor Shahan Back Row: Martha Morrow, Elsie Shahan, Gladys Shahan, and Junior Harsh
Elsie Shahan-Lane (front) L to R - Butch Shields, Art Vanta, David Shahan, Hattie Vanta- Hunt, Martha Vanta-Marrow, Ben Shahan, Jr., Lee Shahan-Farmer.
East meets West....
Clarence Correia, Janet Shahan-Correia, D. Casper Shahan with son-in-law, Bryant Price