Clarence "Larry" Shearer

Clarence D. “Larry” Shearer, 94, of Washington, formerly of Canonsburg, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016. Born September 18, 1921, in Venetia, he was the son of the late Wilson Shearer and Anna Pelkey Shearer. Mr. Shearer graduated from Peters Township High School. On July 30, 1955, in St. Patrick’s Church, Canonsburg, he married Mary Swihart, who survives. Mr. Shearer was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran of the 13th Air Force who served in the Southwest Pacific during World War II with the 72nd Bombardier Squadron, 5th Bombardier Group. He was involved in battles and campaigns in the Bismarck Archipelago, Southern Philippines, Luzon, Western Pacific, New Guinea, China and Eastern Mandates. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Medal, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and a Good Conduct Medal. Mr. Shearer was honorably discharged on October 12, 1945, with a rank of Technical Sergeant. He retired from McGraw Edison in 1987 after 40 years in the test department. He was Catholic and a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington. Mr. Shearer enjoyed jogging, fishing, hunting, biking, computers, and puzzles. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Mary G. O’Brien and husband Dennis of Washington; three sons, David Shearer and wife Mia of Clearwater, Florida, (Retired) Colonel Eugene Shearer and wife Hey Jin of Nokesville, Virginia, and Todd Shearer and wife Amy of Greenwood, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Dennis C. O’Brien, Jr., and fiancée Jenn, and Kate DeGarmo and husband Kevin, all of Washington, Julia and Joshua Shearer, both of Nokesville, Virginia, and Alyssa, Courtney and Richard Shearer, all of Greenwood, South Carolina; three great-granddaughters, Kaeli and Kenna DeGarmo and Maci O’Brien, all of Washington; and one sister, Rose Shearer Forbes of Venetia. Deceased, in addition to his parents, are a sister, Stella Shearer Curdie, and three brothers, Thomas, Robert, and William, who was lost in WWII. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. At the request of the deceased, a private blessing service followed by private burial in Queen of Heaven Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. Military rites will be accorded graveside by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175.