CORNELIUS MICHAEL 'NEAL' SHANAHAN

Cornelius Michael "Neal" Shanahan of Vale, S.D., played 27 holes of golf, had a nice dinner with his wife, Mary, and passed away suddenly Monday, Sept. 29, 2003. He was 61 years old.

Born and raised in Holyoke, Mass., with his brothers Jerry, Billy and Danny, he moved to Alaska in 1965 with the service group VISTA. There, he taught school in Iguigig and Clark's Point in Bristol Bay and Nulato on the Yukon River before settling with his family in Palmer. He moved to South Dakota in 1997 and was enamored by both the land and the friends that quickly surrounded him.

His family said, "Neal was an independent spirit who lived life in his terms and managed to truly touch those he encountered. He loved kids, hunting, golf, Blue Tick and Walker hounds, life on his Harley, and wide open spaces.

He was a teacher, a coach, a friend, a counselor, a husband, a brother and a father. He leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity and humor. He will be missed."

His wife Mary, sons Jeremy and Lee, and his dogs Abby, Silkie and Pride, survive him.

A celebration of his life will be held at his home Saturday at 1 p.m. Please bring yourself and a story.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Newell Chapter of the Future Farmers of America c/o Dave Ollila at Newell High School, Newell, S.D.

Arrangements were made by the Carlsen-Aldinger Funeral Home in Sturgis, S.D.