Obituary: Shannon

Rodney Dean Shannon, 84, Effingham and formerly of Fairbury, died at 9:42 pm Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at his residence, Effingham.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Friday, April 25, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Pontiac with Fr. David Sabel officiating.  Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Pontiac with full military rites accorded by the Fairbury VFW and American Legion posts.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday with a Rosary to begin at 4:30 pm at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury.  The family suggests memorials be given to St. Jude Cancer Center or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Effingham.

Mr. Shannon was born December 18, 1940 in Galesburg, IL the son of Earnest and Abigail McCormick Shannon.  He married Linda Diane Lee in Fairbury, IL.  She preceded him in death on April 19, 2014.

Survivors include his special friend, Marilyn Haarmann, Effingham, one son, Dr. Timothy (Janet) Shannon, Normal, one daughter, Tammy (Dan) Honegger, Tampa, FL, four grandchildren, one great grandchild, siblings, Ansel (Pat) Shannon, Burlington, IA, Dyson (Leona) Shannon, East Galesburg, IL, Stanley (Linda) Shannon, Alexis, IL and Mary Alice Reeves, Alexis, IL.

He is preceded in death by one brother and three sisters.

Mr. Shannon was a graduate of Alexis High School.  He served in the US Navy (3/12/1959 - 2/ 28/1963) in Morocco, North Africa on the USS Betelgeuse.  After the Navy he worked in Sales and Marketing in the Agriculture industry, retiring as a strategic Accounts Manager for American Cyanamid.  He also owned and operated RDS Contracting Consulting Firm.

Mr. Shannon was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Effingham and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.