John Allen Shearer, Jr. Obituary (1952

John Allen Shearer, Jr. Beaver Falls John Allen Shearer, Jr., of Beaver Falls, passed away Thursday, January 26 2017, following complications from heart failure due to Amyloidosis AL. Mr. Shearer leaves behind his devoted wife Kathryn J. Shearer; his daughter Allyson K. Gulish; son-in-law Robert A. Gulish, Jr.; and grandchildren Jadyn K. and Elijah R. Also surviving are his sisters Kathryn (Mrs. Aldo Zini) and Karen Ruth (Mrs. Howard G. Leonhard, Jr.) and his brother James K. Shearer (Judy). He was predeceased by his parents. Mr. Shearer was born in Stamford, New York, September 19, 1952, the son of the Rev. and Mrs. John Allen Shearer (Kathryn M. Shannon). He was graduated from Westminster College with a bachelor's degree in English. In addition he received a Master's in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Arts in English from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. He also completed the coursework for a Ph.D. in library and information science. Mr. Shearer spent most of his career working in higher education, both as a librarian and as a college English instructor. He also worked briefly as a newspaper reporter and more recently in retail sales. Among his personal and professional interests were Christian apologetics; critical thinking; literary criticism and theory; Presbyterian and Reformed theology and doctrine; and seventeenth- and eighteenth-century American and British literature, culture, and history. A lifelong Presbyterian, Mr. Shearer was an elder for over forty years and served on the sessions of several congregations. In addition, he was a deacon, taught adult Sunday school, and sang in a number of church choirs. Friends will be received Sunday, January 29, 2017, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hill & Kunselman Funeral Home, Beaver Falls, PA. A memorial service will be conducted Monday, January 30, at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Beaver, with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Arnold officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Shearer's memory to First Presbyterian Church, Beaver; Westminster College; or the Amyloidosis Foundation. * * * NOTE: Please publish in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Beaver County Times, and Clearfield Progress.