OBITUARY FOR: DONALD MARK SHINAL

It is with heartfelt sadness and enduring appreciation for a wonderful husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and treasured friend, that we announce the passing of Donald Mark Shinal on July 20, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA on November 19, 1939, to the late George J. Shinal Sr. and Elizabeth M. Shinal.  He was raised in Kingston, PA along with his eldest brother George J. Shinal Jr. (wife Valerie, deceased), and a younger brother Carl N. Shinal (deceased).

Don graduated from Kingston High School where he played trumpet in the school band and excelled in mechanical drafting classes.  He attended Wilkes College (University) and graduated from the Mergenthaler School of Typesetting, Printing, and Linotype in New York City to continue in his father's footsteps in the newspaper publishing industry.  He was employed by York Publishing Company, the Times Leader newspaper, and later became an esteemed founding member of the Citizens' Voice newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, PA from where he retired.

He was a proud service member of the United States Marine Corps From 1960-1966 where he achieved sharpshooter status and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.

Don's hobbies included woodworking and constructing beautiful outdoor picnic tables and birdhouses.  He prided himself in keeping a lovely and well-manicured yard throughout his life.  He enjoyed with great enthusiasm many hunting and fishing outings with family and friends.  One of his favorite places for fishing and camping expeditions was Limerick Lake in Ontario, Canada.  He and his family could often be found hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking at a nearby State Park.  He enjoyed watching sports, documentaries, and researching the Civil War era and local history on his computer.  Every morning, Don could be found enjoying a cup of tea at the kitchen table while solving the daily crosswords, jumble puzzles, and Sudoku with masterful accuracy.  Don possessed immense integrity along with a keen sense of humor, appreciation of nature and the outdoors, and a deep, abiding love for his family.

According to Don, his most momentous time of life was meeting and marrying his beloved sweetheart Diane, whom he met while she was a nursing school student.  He said that he knew immediately that "she is the one, because of her most beautiful, bright, and smiling eyes. "

Second only to marrying Diane, the birth of their daughter René (Dr. René M. Shinal, PhD) was his most joyous and fulfilling moment.  He said that when she took her first breath, he fell in love all over again, and that she was his "greatest accomplishment."

Gratitude and encouragement knew no bounds, and Don frequently said, "Di and René, you are the loves and sunshine of my life."

His compassion and endearing ways will live on through his wife Diane, daughter René (Peter), loving brother George J. Shinal Jr., sister-in-law Nadine T. Rish, niece and God-daughter Maria E. Resciniti, brother-in-law David J. Simakaski, nephews Brian Simakaski, Mark Simakaski and their lovely families, cousins, lifetime friends, and neighbors.

Dad, we love you always and forever.

Funeral arrangements will be private according to Don's wishes.

In lieu of flowers or material offerings, please extend a random act of kindness during your day and may Don's memory be a comfort and a blessing.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bednarski Funeral Home, 168 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming.

To share memories or to send condolences, visit www.bednarskifuneralhome.com