Ernest Shives

Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

Ernest Shives, age 85, of Mercersburg, died Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at his home.

Born December 28, 1927, in Hancock, Md., he was the son of the late Ernest W. and Sarah Kellner Shives, and the step-son of Mary Louise Gordon Shives.

He graduated in 1951 from Warfordsburg High School, after 3 ½ years serving in the U.S. Army with Air Transport Command. He then married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Jean Keefer, on June 14, 1952.

He was retired from Mack Trucks, Inc., in Hagerstown, Md., after 25 years of service, and was a consultant for D.L. Martin Co. for 2 years, and later retired from the Town of Hancock after 17 years, at the age of 83.

He was a member and deacon of the Damascus Christian Church; a member and treasurer of the Damascus Cemetery Association; a member and treasurer of the Hancock Lions Club, where he received the Melvin Jones Award, plus many others. H e was a member of the Hancock American Legion Post #26; a member of the Hancock and Fulton County Historical Societies; a member of the Scottish Rite of Harrisburg Pennsylvania Consistory, and traveled on their bus trips for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Jean Keefer Shives; three daughters, Sharon Kay Mellott and husband, Tom, Teresa Datesman and husband, Ken, and Carol Jean Grove and husband, Richie; one god-daughter, Barbara Jean Pittman; one sister, Darla Cox; four grandchildren, Miranda, Carrie, Emma, and Cooper; and four great-grandchildren, Reese, Garren, Destry and Mackenzie.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Jim; and three sisters, Mary Ann, Sally and Audrey.

A service will be held on Saturday, November 9, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hancock Assembly of God Church, 431 North Pennsylvania Ave., Hancock, Md. Rev. Travis Mellott and Rev. Loy Garber will officiate. Burial, with a military service by the Tri-State Honor Guard, will be in the Damascus Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the Hancock Assembly of God Church, on Friday from noon to 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Damascus Cemetery Association, c/o Lester Litton, 556 Maple Hollow Lane, Needmore, Pa.  18238

Online condolences will be accepted at www.grovefh.com