Denis P. Shinhearl
Denis P. Shinhearl, age 72, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2024.
Denis was the beloved husband of Bonnie (Kellogg), devoted father to Brandon (Brittany) Shinhearl and Alexandra Shinhearl Lanigan (Michael), and doting grandfather to Carter Salsbury, Maximus Salsbury, and Harper Stoerkel.
Denny was a member of the St Mary of the Assumption Holy Name Society which he devoted many years of service, being honored with Man of the Year in 2005. Denis was also honored that same year as St. Mary of the Assumption Member of the Year by the Lake and Geauga Deanery. In addition to his devotion to others, Denis was also awarded the Cougar Pride Award in recognition of his accomplishments, involvement and dedication to Lake Catholic High School in 2009. His devotion, dedication, and service to others and the Lake Catholic community continued to the day of his passing.
Denny loved nature and the outdoors, enjoying many days at his farm. He especially loved sharing this joy with family and friends, hosting many fun parties and narrating guided tours around the farm on his ATV. Denny loved reading, learning new things, daily crossword puzzles, scrabble, and especially making friends everywhere he went. His ability to make friends was nothing short of amazing. Denny loved watching Sponge Bob with Carter and Max.
A Harvey High School and Cleveland State University graduate, Denny earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and was a CPA. Denny was a “Proud of it Painesville boy,” who loved sharing his many funny stories about his high school days with his family and friends. Denny enjoyed a long career in business, retiring in 2016 at Ancora.
Denny was a devoted and avid supporter and fan of Lake Catholic sports, announcing the football, basketball and volleyball games which brought him great joy. Denny began his love of volleyball watching his daughter Alexandra play on the Lake Catholic volleyball team of 2000-2004. His love continued up to the day of his death. Volleyball gave him a purpose while bravely managing his health challenges. The players all embraced him, loved him, and comforted him even though they might not have known this at the time. He never missed a game (2000-2024) encouraging every player and becoming a fixture on the bench and in the gym. Every Tuesday or Thursday he would tell Bonnie, “Its Tuesday. Today is volleyball. I’ll eat when I get home. We’re going to kick their A$$!” And they did.
Denis was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Shinhearl, father Frederick Shinhearl, brother Frederick Shinhearl, Jr., nieces Stacy Shinhearl and Shannon Nelson Childs, nephew Geoff Wise, and brother-in-law Robert Nelson.
Family will receive friends on February 9 before mass from 9:00-10:00 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, Ohio 44060.
A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 February 9 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church.
Denny had a special bond with his grandson Maximus, who is autistic, showering him with endless love and calming hugs. In memory of Denny, the family asks, in lieu of flowers, to consider making a donation to Maximus’s special needs classroom, Structured Language, at Orchard Hollow to continue the amazing work Maximus’s teachers do every day with these special children.
DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT VENMO @bonnie-shinhearl (if checks, please make it payable to Bonnie Shinhearl)