Francis L. Shiner

October 12, 2010

Francis L. Shiner, 86, of Hanover Township, passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at his home. He was born on July 13, 1924, to Lebanese immigrants, Mable and Zine Shiner, and was one of 11 brothers and sisters. Francis attended St. Boniface School and Lake Township High School, later known as Lake-Lehman High School, where he was the pitcher on his baseball team, center on the basketball team, vice president of his senior class, 1st trumpet in the orchestra and editor of the yearbook. Francis was offered a full scholarship to Penn State University for Chemical Engineering, which he chose to decline for the good of his family. At the age of 13, he was injured in a tragic car accident, which claimed the lives of both parents. He took on the responsibility of raising his brother and sisters on their family farm. He later married Theresa Charles and, together, they opened the first Lebanese Bakery in Wilkes-Barre, Shiner's Bakery, which was known for its bread, sesame twists and pastries. Along with his bakery business, Francis was a quality-control supervisor of the Heat-Treat Division at Chamberlain Corporation in Scranton. During that time, he enrolled in college courses and studied Statistical Quality Control. He was a longtime, active member of the Knights of Lebanon and a Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus. Francis had a love for life and a great appreciation for education. For that reason, he was proud of his own children, who each earned their college degree. Moreover, he was immensely proud of his 12 grandchildren. Each of whom would attest to the fact that their 'Jiddo's' undying work ethic was the catalyst that motivated them into becoming who they are today. He enjoyed cooking, baking, carpentry, and could be pegged as a "Jack-of-all-Trades." He also enjoyed traveling, venturing to Spain to visit the foreign exchange student that he and his wife hosted, and to Argentina to visit relatives; but most of all, he loved spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by brothers Joseph, Paul and Peter Shiner; sisters Nellie Shiner Decker, Victoria Shiner Elias, Marie Shiner Serhan, Melanie Shiner Vena, Marjorie Shiner Chamberlain and Joan Shiner Smilanich. Francis is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Theresa; his children, Dianne and husband Stephen Kagay, Bel Air, Md.; Elizabeth and husband Nassif Mahfoud, Atlanta, Ga.; Maureen and husband Patrick Doyle, Wilkes-Barre; and Francis Jr. and wife Suzanne Shiner, Chappaqua, N.Y.; his grandchildren, Stephen Kagay Jr.; Ryan Kagay; Patrick Doyle Jr.; Kevin Doyle and his wife, Sarah Doyle; Shannon Doyle; Brian Doyle; Matthew Shiner; Johnathan Mahfoud; Mary Theresa Mahfoud; Jeremy Shiner; Elyse Mahfoud; and Lindsay Shiner; his brother, Anthony Shiner, Buffalo, N.Y.; brothers and sisters-in-law; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday from the Mamary-Durkin Funeral Services, 59 Parrish St., Wilkes-Barre. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. St. Nicholas R.C. Church, Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre. Friends may call Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Those who desire may give memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.