Shawn T. Hannon

Master Sergeant Shawn Thomas Hannon was killed in action on April 4th, 2012 while defending his country. He was deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. A lifelong soldier, Shawn felt it was a privilege to serve his country and did so honorably for almost 20 years. Previous deployments for Master Sergeant Hannon included Iraq, RAF Lakenheath, England, Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina and Florida for Hurricane Andrew. Shawn was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic service, a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat and the Ohio Distinguished Service Medal.

Shawn was born on March 3rd, 1968 in Columbus, Ohio and grew up in Grove City. He graduated from Grove City High School in 1986 and received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University in 1991. In 2006 Shawn earned his Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School.

Shawn served in his civilian professional life as the Chief Legal Officer for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and as a criminal defense attorney for the firm of Yavitch & Palmer. Shawn counseled his many clients with professionalism and common sense. His advice to them was invaluable.

Shawn’s colorful character and lovable lack of pretense enabled him to connect with people from all walks of life. Shawn was charming and engaging and never met a stranger. He embraced life with vigor and an easygoing calm. Shawn loved to laugh and his sense of humor knew no boundaries. We loved him for it!

As a father, husband, son, brother and friend, he was unsurpassed in his devotion, love and loyalty. Shawn's nine month old son, Evan, was the light of his life. His pride in being a father to a beautiful son was exceeded only by the love he shared with his wife Jamie.

Shawn is a hero to his family, friends, military comrades, legal community, soccer teammates, classmates from law school, college and high school, and all the admirers he collected throughout his amazing life.

Shawn is survived by his beloved wife Jamie and son Evan, mother, Diana Forrester, father, Wayne (Mary) Hannon, brothers, Scott (Kelly)Forrester, Quinn (Stefanie) Hannon, sister, Erin (Harvey) Chaffin, nieces Kiersten Wright, Kyleigh Hannon, nephews, Zack Wright, Tucker Chaffin. Also by father-in-law and mother-in-law Tony and Ann Dalsasso, sister-in-law and brother-in law Andrea and Jason Schmidt, grandparents-in-law Robert and Joan walker and grandmother-in-law Barbara Dalsasso. Shawn is preceded in death by his dear step-father Bill Forrester.

Visitation will be on Sunday April 15, 2012 at the Grove City United Methodist Church 2684 Columbus St. Grove City, OH from 3-6pm. Funeral Service will be at the Grove City United Methodist Church at 1:30pm on Monday April 16, 2012. Inurnment will be at Ridgewood Cemetery Wellston, OH at 2:30pm on Tuesday April 17, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shawn Hannon Family Trust to: Jason Rafeld, Trustee, Shawn Hannon Family Trust, c/o Wright Law, 4266 Tuller Rd., Dublin, Ohio, 43017. Donations may also be made in the name of Shawn Hannon to Military Families United or the South-Western City Schools Educational Foundation. Arrangements by Schoedinger Grove City Chapel.