He was born on December 20, 1938, a son of the late William J. “Bud” and Margaret A. Luft Shaneyfelt in Allison, Fayette County. He was a 1956 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and served four years as a communications specialist.
Tom worked as a meat cutter for many years, including operating his own deer processing shop for 28 years. He also worked as an underground mechanic at Mathies Mine in Finleyville until its closure.
Tom went on to graduate from Waynesburg College in 1992 with a degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation, he was employed as an Activity Coordinator at the State Corrections Institution - Greene in Waynesburg, PA until his retirement. While there he created an art program that was implemented within all of the correctional institutions throughout the Commonwealth. He was a very talented artist. He worked with acrylics, oils, stippling and pencil mediums as well as pottery. His work was featured annually at the Greene County Fair and would win awards every year.
Tom volunteered during the 1960s and again in the 1980s as a Little League coach in Clarksville. He also served as the president of the organization for many years. He was a wonderful man who was a friend to many. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who gave him so much joy.
He was a member of the Clarksville Christian Church and also attended services at the Rices Landing Church of Christ.
On November 3, 1961, he married the love of his life, Mary Francis Riecks Shaneyfelt, who passed away December 29, 2012.
Surviving are his children, Thomas (Nadine) Shaneyfelt, Jr. of Pittsburgh, Kathy Avery and her fiancé John Gray of Masontown, Jennifer (Eugene) Bradmon of Rices Landing, and Daniel Shaneyfelt and his fiancé Donna Presock of Clarksville; eight grandchildren, Casey, Jason and Ryan (Genna) Shaneyfelt; Edward Avery, III, Christopher and David Avery; Rachel and Rebecca Bradmon; Ronnie Pierce and Marrissa Halbert; five great grandchildren, Uriyah, Jeremiyah, and Josiyah Avery; Aaliyah Pierce and Aerilynn Caltuna; a brother, William Shaneyfelt of New Stanton, a sister Linda (Don) Pinkney of Marianna, a sister-in-law Carol Shaneyfelt of Carmichaels, brother-in-law’s Charles (Betty) Riecks of Jefferson and George (Joanne) Riecks of Clarksville and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased in addition to his wife and parents are two brothers, Robert “Bobby” Shaneyfelt and Gerald “Chickie” Shaneyfelt, son-in-law Edward Avery II, granddaughter Taileen Pierce, a sister-in-law, Bonnie Shaneyfelt and a nephew, William J. Shaneyfelt.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, August 7 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Behm Funeral Homes, Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, PA 15344, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. with Eugene Bradmon officiating. Interment will follow in Greene County Memorial Park, Waynesburg. Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force. Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.
