Jeff Shaner

Jeff Shaner was a pillar of Palestine.

Born and raised here, he was involved in school sports and activities all through his high school graduation in 1969. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1973 and returned to the place he knew and loved. He first worked for the local telephone company before joining his dad Roy in working at J. D. Mullen Company. In 1985, Jeff, along with parents Roy and Ann, purchased Mullen's and grew the company to what it is today.

Jeff deeply loved the community, and he showed it through his actions and heavy involvement in local events and organizations, both on his own and through Mullen's. He'd been president of Palestine Grant-in-Aid since 1998 and was a church elder, trustee, and bass in the choir (since 1982!) at the First Presbyterian Church of Palestine. He was long a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was very involved with its leadership and committees: He served on the Chamber Board of Directors many times between 1981-2020; he was on the Finance and By-Laws Committees; and he held numerous positions (President in 1983, 1st Vice President in 1982, 2nd Vice President 2005 and 2011-2012, and Treasurer 1992-2002). He served a stint with the Palestine Lions Club and was a volunteer firefighter in the mid-1980s. He ran the Palestine High School Football scoreboard clock for 30 years. He was on the 2011 Palestine Bicentennial Committee and the PHS Alumni Association for the 2019 All-School Reunion. He loved and was involved in any way he could with Palestine's Labor Day festivities and the Pioneer City Rodeo: parade announcer (for 20 years), float builder, planner, ticket salesman, fence painter, banner hanger, beer tent pourer, chute sponsor, and anything else that needed a hand.

In 1997, Jeff was named Citizen of the Year. In 2018, he received a Business Recognition Award for 70 Years of Business; and in 2023, he was inducted into the Palestine Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Jeff was an avid Illini fan (well, sometimes...), a trivia and crossword buff, a shrewd card player, and a lover of music. He owned over 45 guitars, banjos, and ukuleles, had two (and at one time three) pianos, too many harmonicas to count, and even the odd didgeridoo. He enjoyed many genres of music, and the last time he tried to write down the many concerts he'd attended throughout his life, he lost count after about 50. And he had nearly perfected his version of "Piano Man" at karaoke night at Gatter's, complete with his own harmonica accompaniment.

Most of all, Jeff loved his family and his friends and was loved fiercely in return. He died in his sleep in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, shrouded in love and care. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Ann. He is survived by his loving daughters, Leslie Greskowiak and Hannah Lushin; sons-in-law, Robert Greskowiak and Whitney Lushin; grandchildren Jackson Greskowiak, Rosie Lushin, and Lily Lushin; siblings Dan Shaner, Mark Shaner, and Holly Shaner; sisters-in-law Cindy Shaner and Resa Shaner; 12 nieces and nephews (including spouses); a handful of great-nieces and nephews; cousins; and so many people he called friends. He had a quick wit (and some pretty terrible dad jokes), a contagious laugh, a sharp mind, and a generous heart. He was a loyal friend, a devoted dad, and a great man. He was, and already is, terribly missed.

A time of visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16th at the funeral home, with Rev. Tom Akers officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Palestine Grant-in-Aid Fund", with envelopes available at the funeral home.