Robert E. Shannon

FIFA and PIAA Soccer Referee

Robert E. Shannon, 68, of Bern Township passed away peacefully Saturday, November 4th, at Reading Hospital & Medical Center, surrounded by his family after a quiet and valiant 2 1/2 year battle with cancer.

Survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Elizabeth A. (Janesko) Shannon, Robert was born in Connecticut in 1949, a son of Nancy E. (Griffith) Shannon and the late Edward L. Shannon of Reading.

Robert served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a SP5 in Seoul Korea during the Vietnam Era. 

He graduated from Muhlenberg High School in 1967 and received his bachelor's degree in computer science from Albright College in 1988.

Robert was employed as a software engineer at Met Ed-GPU-First Energy for 33 years, retiring in 2003. 

He loved soccer and was a well-known soccer referee in both FIFA and PIAA Leagues in Eastern Pennsylvania. He enjoyed skiing and vacations with his family. They are devastated by his loss.

In addition to his wife Betsy, Robert is survived by 2 children: a daughter, Amy Shannon, wife of Brad Bonkoski, Bern Township; and a son, Timothy Shannon, husband of Meghan Shannon, Philadelphia. He is also survived by 2 grandchildren: Robert Bonkoski, Bern Township; and Eleanor Shannon, Philadelphia.

Robert is also survived by two brothers: William Shannon, with Holly Young, Temple; Steve Shannon, with Nancy Stricker, Muhlenberg Township; and also sister-in-law Jane Davis, wife of Allen Davis, Fleetwood; nephew Christopher Davis, husband of Stacy Davis, Fleetwood; and grand-nephew Henry Davis, Fleetwood.

A private Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Schuylkill Valley Community Library, 1310 Washington Street, Leesport, PA 19533. 

Arrangements entrusted to John P. Feeney Funeral Home, Inc., 625 N. 4th St., Reading, PA 19601, 610-372-4160. Condolences may be left at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.