Mr. Shierling was born March 6, 1941, in La Grange, Georgia, a son of Arthur & Christine Black Shierling.
He grew up in Georgia, then moved to Chicago, and joined the U.S. Navy in 1958. Throughout his twenty years of service, he served on four ships as well as numerous Naval Program special assignments including instructor tours. Most notably he served aboard the USS Glover after attending Officer Candidate School in 1967. After his tour on the USS Glover, he was selected by the Chief Naval Officer for an experimental, special project and served on the FIT Team stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana. Shortly thereafter he and his family relocated to South Korea, where he served as a consultant, to their navy. He and his family then relocated to San Diego, California, where he reported as part of the pre-Commissioning crew and remained as part of the first crew of the USS David R. Ray, a Spruance-class Destroyer, as both the Weapons Officer and Chief Engineer. He retired from the US Navy in 1978. Following his retirement from the Navy, he worked for Hughes Aircraft Company in California as a weapons engineer. He then relocated to Norfolk, Virginia where he managed the Hughes Aircraft Company Norfolk office, retiring in 1992. He and his wife retired to Palm Coast in 1993, and became members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Mr. Shierling is a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he is a 4th degree Knight; past Aid to the State Master for four years; past District Deputy; and past Grand Knight. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, history and traveling, visiting countries on every continent.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, the former Linda Sue Knaebel, whom he married April 29, 1961; one son, Greg (Donna) Shierling; two daughters: Lorri Thompson, and Heather ( Glenn) Elliott ; six grandchildren: Daniel, Alex, Katie, Jessie, Andrew, and Elli; one brother, Daniel Shierling and a sister, Brenda Morgan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Billy and Doug.
Family and friends will be received for an evening viewing Wednesday, March 27, 2019 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Additionally family and friends will be received on Thursday, March 28 at 1:30 PM with a Funeral Mass at 2:30 PM.
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