Jeffrey A. Shanty

Jeffrey Shanty was so many things a well respected businessman, a genuine jack of all trades, and a true patriot, but the role that was of the greatest significance to Jeff was his role as a family man. It was easy to see that he was crazy about his granddaughters, Emma and Mattie, and that they had their papa wrapped around their little fingers. Jeff was an avid outdoorsman who was passionate about sharing the wonders of the woods, hunting, and fishing with the young people of his community. He was a man who realized that memories are not only made amidst the grand, glorious events of life, but also in the little things that are such a major part of everyday life. Jeff took every moment captive and lived it to its fullest with integrity, strength, and love. By the end of the 1940s, America was moving forward after the end of WWII as servicemen resumed their positions in the workplace while the baby boom was underway. There was great reason to celebrate during this time for the family of Frank and Mildred Shanty as they were blessed with the birth of their son, Jeffrey, on May 17, 1949. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Jeff was the youngest of six children including his sisters, Beverly, Arlene, Norma, and Linda, and his brother, Richard. His father worked at Marathon Oil but when they closed he worked as a master carpenter while his mother was a homemaker. It was during his formative years that Jeff established many of the interests that would remain with him throughout his life. His father taught him how to fish and hunt, and together they went on many hunting trips with Jeffs cousins and uncles. His father also taught him a great deal about carpentry. Jeff attended Mona Shores Schools where his favorite class was woodshop, and he enjoyed wrestling and playing football in high school. Not long after graduating from high school in 1967, Jeff enlisted in the Marine Corp during the Vietnam era. He began serving in 1968 and worked as an engineer mechanic during the Vietnam War. Jeff was also an award winning marksman who held the highest shooting score. War is never a fun time, but Jeff did enjoy some of his training in Vieques Island, just off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico. There, they could have some fun swimming and diving. In recognition of his service, Jeff was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Expert Rifleman Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. After being discharged in 1974, Jeff came home to Muskegon and worked for Regans Commercial Plastering. After a short time, he went into business for himself, purchasing Cluchey Radiator Service with friend John Couch. It wasnt only his career that was taking off at this time, but so was his personal life. Jeff went to The Station Bar and Grill every Monday night with his buddy, John. Johns girlfriend, Mary, and her friend, Jan Simpson, also went to The Station on Monday nights. Jeff certainly noticed Jan, but the interest was not reciprocated until one day when Jeff came to inform Mary that John had been in a motorcycle accident. As he relayed the news, Jan became intrigued by Jeff. The couple then began dating and just one year later, they were married on June 2, 1978. They enjoyed a honeymoon in Leelanau near Traverse City, which became a favorite place to visit. When he married Jan, Jeff gained not only a wife, but a daughter as well as Jan brought her daughter, Joell, into the family. Jeff was a wonderful father to Joell and the family enjoyed many happy times together. Although his family was always first and foremost in his life, Jeff was a true sportsman at heart. It was this love for outdoor sports that led Jeff to round up all the heads of the local sportsman clubs with the goal of sharing their passions with young people. From that day in 1993, the Sportsman for Youth program was born in which they teach the youth about hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. This program is still going strong today. After owning Cluchey for 25 years, Jeff sold it and worked part-time as a press operator for The Muskegon Chronicle. Then about seven years ago, he took a job as a truck driver with Enviro Control Metals. For countless reasons, Jeff was an extraordinary man. He was a master of many things including carpentry, dry walling, and auto mechanics. Jeff could make or fix anything and was famous for his road kill baskets that he gave to his friends. He enjoyed motor cross and ice racing on his dirt bike in his younger years and later traveling with his wife. Together Jeff and Jan visited Florida, Mexico, and New Zeeland among other destinations, and they also enjoyed regular countryside drives. He had a group of buddies he loved hanging out with including Bud, Wayne, Tony, Doug, and the Triple H hunting gang. Jeff and Jan also enjoyed a great deal of time with Jans sister Deb and her husband Howard Cross, who is Jeffs good friend. Jeff was a lifetime member and past president of the Muskegon Wild Turkey Federation. Nothing could have made him happier than when Joell moved from Chicago to Grand Rapids with her husband and two daughters. Jeff adored Emma and Mattie and always attended all of their events and hosted annual Easter egg hunts in the backyard. Traditions were important to Jeff. Christmas just wouldnt have been Christmas without Jeffs extra stocking stuffers like reindeer poop! Jeffrey Shanty was a man of great strength who took what life gave him and made the most of it. He was a fighter when it came to things he felt passionate about, especially when engaged in his fight against prostate cancer. Jeff was witty, loving, and a funny guy who brought such zest to the world around him. His claim to fame was a trip he won to Hawaii on a game show, but it was his devotion to his country, his dedication to his family, and his genuine compassion for those around him for which he will be dearly missed. Jeff Shanty died on July 27, 2010. Jeffs family includes his wife, Jan; his daughter, Joell (Matt) Thompson; his two beautiful granddaughters, Emma and Mattie; and his sisters, Beverly Pleimling, Norma (Clarence) Morgan, Linda Longsdorf; and sister-in-law, Shirley Shanty. Services will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2010, 3:00 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Chapel - Muskegon with visitation from 1-3 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial contribution to Sportsmen for Youth or Vietnam Veterans of America.