Memoriam
George Edgar Shealer – LBG #121
Mr. George E. Shealer of Gettysburg, passed away on January 5, 2011, at the age of 89 at Golden Living of Gettysburg. He was born in Straban Township, Adams County, on June 22, 1921, the son of Edgar G. and Marion Shealer. He was the husband of the late Beatrice (Minter) Shealer, who died Oct. 5, 1981. George was a life-long resident of Adams County. Following service in the United States Army during the Second World War, he went to work for the Gettysburg Times & News Publishing as a press operator in the book publishing section.
Battlefield guiding, though, was in his blood. His grandfather, George W. Shealer (LBG# 44 1915-1920) for whom he was named began guiding as a young man in 1885 and was one of the first class of guides formally licensed in 1915. George’s uncle William (LBG# 28 1915-1966) and his father Edgar (LBG#71 (1916-1984) were also long-time guides. George earned his guide license in March of 1975 making the Shealers one of the few three-generation guide families. He guided full time for 24 years serving in a number of capacities in the Guide’s Association. Until his retirement from the Gettysburg Times in the mid-1980s, he would often work his regular job until 1 PM and then come to the park to grab a tour or two before dark. Health issues forced his retirement from guiding in 1999. George will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by two grand-daughters, Ann (Brogan) Barbi and her husband Allen, of Dover, N.H., and Kathleen (Brogan) Miller and her husband Harvey, of Reno, Nev. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Tony Brogan, who also had been a Licensed Battlefield Guide in his youth.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 14, at the Monahan Funeral Home, 125 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, with the Rev. Michael E. Allwein officiating. Burial, with full military honors being presented by the Adams County Allied Veterans, will be in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the services, Friday, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at monahanfh.com. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides, PO. Box 4152, Gettysburg, PA 17325