Obituary: Edward Joseph Shannon, Jr.

February 27, 1935 ~ April 25, 2021

Edward J. Shannon, Jr., longtime resident of River Forest, IL died April 25, 2021 in his Door County, Wisconsin home.

Beloved husband of the late Joan, nee Balsamo; loving father of Edward (Jeanette), John (Isabel), Brigid Shannon and Jane (Luke) Kennedy; proud grandfather of E.J. and Declan Shannon, Quinn, Bodhi, Izzi and Jack Falco Shannon, and Barrett and Luke Kennedy; dear brother-in-law of Dick (Beth) Balsamo and Dee Dee (Kevin) Goggin; a fond uncle and friend to many.

Preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Kay (late Gerald) Moore and Patricia (late Fritz) Frazier; sister-in-law, Donna Balsamo, and parents, Edward J., Sr. and Kathryn Shannon.

Ed grew up in River Forest, Illinois. He graduated from Fenwick High School, where he served on student council and lettered in football and swimming. His senior year he was elected captain of the football team.  He went on to play football at University of Michigan.  At Michigan, Ed served as president of his social fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He graduated in 1957 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He then served as a Lieutenant in the US Army for two years. Upon completing his service, Ed joined his father at Shannon Lumber Company and eventually took over the company until his retirement in 2012. In 1962, Ed married the love of his life, Joanie. Ed and Joanie enjoyed spending summers and weekends in Door County, Wisconsin.  He moved permanently to Door County after Joanie’s death in 2014.  Ed is remembered as a caring boss and a “handshake” businessman. He had many lifelong friends including homebuilders, Irving park YMCA Handball mates, Ephraim Yacht Club in Door County, and the “Company A” men and their wives.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W Cermak Rd., Westchester, IL 60154. If you would like to pay your respects to Edward or his family, please call to reserve a spot at (708) 562-5900.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Edward’s life will be honored during a private Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 30, 2021 at St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in River Forest and interment with be in All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Des Plaines.

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Shannon family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Ed may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.