Melvin "Joe" Shaw

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Gettysburg with Pastor Daniel Tews officiating. Burial followed in the Lebanon Cemetery. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg.

Melvin “Joe” Shaw was born March 21, 1910 in rural Potter County, the second youngest of nine children to Henry and Lydia (Hanika) Shaw. He said the Potter County Courthouse was built just to record his birth! Joe’s formal education ended with the eighth grade, but he never stopped learning. He kept abreast of local, national, and world affairs through the newspapers, radio and TV.

He was a farmer through and through. Joe started farming with a team of horses until he purchased his first tractor. He enjoyed horses and was an accomplished horseman. He wasn’t pleased when his daughter-in-law brought her horse to the farm at first, but is wasn’t long before he was saddling up and riding to the mailbox.

Joe was very proud of his Hereford Cattle and his Rausch Bulls. He knew each cow and its history. For years he carried a newspaper clipping showing that his cattle brought the highest price at the sale barn. He was born to hard work and even after he quit farming and sold his cattle, he was working for or helping his neighbors. His one form of relaxation was fishing. He wasn’t crazy about being in a boat, but did enjoy fishing from shore, catching northern and other species of fish.

On January 22, 1937 Joe married Amanda Titze and they were together until her death in November of 2000. They had one son, Harlen D. Shaw.

Although Melvin did not belong to a lot of organizations, he enjoyed visiting with people and could strike up a conversation with strangers just standing in a line. He had a ready laugh and a witty sense of humor. He saw a lot of changes in his lifetime, some good and some bad. He was a young man during the depression years and worked at many different jobs in South Dakota and other states. He was thrifty but not cheap. He worked too hard for his money to be foolish. He did not like to travel and was content to stay at home. He loved to sing and had a very good voice. He said he would sing while on the tractor (no cabs or radios in those days) to help the time go by.

Joe became a resident of the Oahe Manor in November 2001 and became a favorite of the staff.

Joe is survived by his son, Harlen (Sharon) Shaw of Gettysburg; two grandsons: Richard (Shawna) Shaw of Gettysburg and David (Shawna) Shaw of Fargo, ND; three great grandchildren: Samantha and Spencer Shaw of Gettysburg and Colston Shaw of Fargo, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Amanda; five brothers: John, Edgar, Alfred, Thomas and Francis and three sisters: Sadie, Nora and Kathryn.

Grandpa will be remember for his many endearing qualities and missed by those left behind.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Joe’s arrangements.