Richard I Shearer

RICHARD IVAN SHEARER MUNSTER, IN Richard I. Shearer, age 77, of Munster, IN passed away at his daughter's home in Homewood, IL where he resided for the last five years, surrounded by his loving family on Monday, March 11, 2013. Mr. Shearer is survived by two daughters: Constance M. (Jason) Noe of Mt. Prospect, IL and Carolyn J. Shearer of Homewood, IL; two brothers: Lowell (Carol) Shearer of Indianapolis, IN and Lawrence (Martha) Shearer of Roanoke, VA; great aunt, Marge Shearer of Highland; sister-in-law, Carole (Rev. Kenneth) Bergner of Baileys Harbor, WI; granddaughter, Rachel; nephews: Christopher and Jeremy; nieces: Janet, Mary Ellen, and Amy; great nieces: Nidia, Nora, and Madeline; and great nephew, Ethan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; and his parents: Henrietta and Herbert Shearer. Richard was born on March 23, 1935 to Henrietta and Herbert Shearer at home in Hammond, IN. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Indiana Central College in Indianapolis and his Masters Degree in Art Education from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. Richard was a mentor and educator to all students he encountered, teaching Art at Portage and Highland High Schools, Northwest Indiana Art Association, and private lessons throughout his 40 plus teaching career. Always committed to the youth of his community, he worked for Pyramids, Inc. in Hammond, IN, a not-for-profit youth service agency. Richard and his wife, Danna were married August 16, 1958 at the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Hammond. He was a member of the Unity Church in Hammond, IN. Mr. Shearer was an avid gardener, fisherman, photographer, jeweler, potter and lover of nature. He will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to know him. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home (8178 Cline Ave., Schererville, IN). Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday, March 22, 2013 at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Horizon Hospice of Olympia Fields, 3408 Vollmer Road,Olympia Fields, IL 60461, 708-283-8150; the Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org/donate; or the American Civil Liberties Union, www.ACLU.org.