Elwood W. Shanton Augist 7, 1924 - August 1, 2025

Our tin can sailor is gone. Elwood W. Shanton died in Brooklyn, NY, on August 1, six days shy of his 101st birthday. He was surrounded by his sons David and Erik and son- in-law Randy Sandlin.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Cora M. Shanton. His beloved wife, Eleanor (Weaver) Shanton, died in 1994 after 45 years of marriage. He was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

Elwood’s quote in the Allentown High School Comus says: “Good men are dying . . . I feel sick.” That sense of duty during wartime led him to skip graduation and enlist in the U.S. Navy in June 1943, where he served in the Pacific aboard the destroyer USS David W. Taylor, surviving a kamikaze attack near the Philippines, a mine explosion at Chichi Jima, and Hallsey’s Typhoon. With Elwood’s death, no veterans of the ship survive today. Discharged in 1946, he returned to active duty at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. For much of the last 30 years he rarely left home without a shirt, hat or jacket emblazoned with his ship’s insignia.

A proud Teamster truck driver, he was employed by Harold Stephens Co., Modern Transfer Co., and Davidson Transfer. After retirement he was a dispatcher for Miller Freight of Allentown, and a courier for Hess’s and Bon Ton.

He loved trains, dancing, Broadway musicals, and listening to the tunes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Tony Bennett. He also enjoyed watching all types of auto racing and taking long drives to the mountain west. Elwood dearly loved Allentown, the city where he was born, raised his children and lived almost his entire life. He was quiet, brave, selfless, kind and strong; a family man, an honorable and humble man, a union man, a veteran, and a patriot in the very best sense of the word.

In addition to sons David and Erik and son-in-law Randy, survivors include daughter-in-law Kristina, grandchildren Ellie, William and Charlie, and three nieces. He was predeceased by sons Keith and Jeffrey.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, August 7 beginning at 11 am at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, 1700 Airport Road, Allentown, PA 18109. Arrangements by Heintzelman-Stephens Funeral Home, P.C., Allentown. www.stephensfuneral.com

In Elwood’s honor, thank a veteran for their service, be kind to an elderly neighbor, and in lieu of flowers, make a contribution to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or a veteran’s organization of your choice.