John W. Shearer

Following a difficult battle with dementia, John W. Shearer, 81, formerly of Harrisburg, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at ManorCare, Camp Hill.

Born November 21, 1937 in Harrisburg, he was a graduate of Enola High School and was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Thelma Frye Gutierrez and Joseph Gutierrez and his son, Brett Shearer.

He was a retired computer information manager from the former AMP and worked for Costco for 12 years following his retirement.

John founded a Helping Hands service for the elderly and veterans in West Hanover Township. He attended Messiah Lutheran Church with his wife and loved driving around in his red Mazda Miata.

An avid fisherman and conservationist, John was a longtime volunteer with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. He was also a member of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and a member and former president of the Susquehanna Small Mouth Alliance. He enjoyed freshwater fishing, locally and traveling to Canada with his stepson, Greg. Additionally, John enjoyed woodcarving in his workshop, and was a member of the West Shore Woodcarvers.

Surviving is his wife of 37 years, Linda J. (Trautman) Shearer; two children: Mark Shearer, Augusta, Georgia and Tammy Lenk (and her husband, Donald), Mechanicsburg; 2 step children: Kimberly True (and her husband, Michael), Harrisburg and Gregory Sharrar (and his wife, Alexa), Harrisburg; his sister: Linda Bookwalter, Camp Hill; his cousin (who was like a sister to him): Jeannie Anstine (and her husband, Robert), New Bloomfield; 9 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and his dog, Sydney.

Services will be held 3:00 pm, Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 901 N 6th St, Harrisburg with the Rev. Dr. Holger Roggelin officiating. Friends will be received at the church from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.

At the request of the family, flowers are to be omitted and contributions made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 901 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, 17102; Heartland Hospice, 1200 Walnut Bottom Rd, Suite 302, Carlisle, 17015; or to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 1426 N 3rd St #220, Harrisburg, 17102.

Kimmel Funeral Home, Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.