LeRoy E. Shanklin

LeRoy E. Shanklin, age 101, of Bel Air, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2024. Born in Fork, Maryland, LeRoy was the beloved son of the late Stanley and Claire (Marshall) Shanklin and devoted husband for 72 years to the late Mildred (Streett) Shanklin.

LeRoy proudly served his country during World War II as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He flew B-24 Liberator Heavy Bombers for the 13th Air Force, 5th Bomber Division, conducting combat operations from Biak Island in New Guinea against Japanese forces from 1944 to 1945. His dedication to aviation continued after the war, flying photographers, and transporting faulty planes to western Maryland for repairs. He enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing with rifle or bow and arrow. He also hunted for goose and duck and carved his own decoys. He collected and repaired antique decoys.

His son Roy Edward was a helicopter mechanic in Duc Phu Vietnam. This was where the 101 Airborne Division was based. His son’s unit was attacked at night and Roy died a year later from his injuries. The impact of Roy’s death continued through out LeRoy’s lifetime. He was motivated to join American Legion Post 39 and volunteered at Perry Point Va Hospital to support our veterans. He was a committed member of his community, actively involved with the Isaac Walton League and Grandview Christian Church. Living his faith in quiet dignity.

LeRoy is survived by his daughter, Judie Lizewski Bulger; grandsons, John Lizewski and JoRoy (Susan) Lizewski; granddaughter, Julie (Ed) Hanus; great-granddaughters, Sarah Walter, Lauren Brant, Abby Lizewski, Brynn Lizewski, Ansley Hanus and Claire Hanus; great-grandsons, JT Lizewski, Ansley Hanus, and Kyle Hanus; great-great-grandsons, Charlie Roy Walter, and John Jeffery Brant; and great-great-granddaughter, Virginia Lee Walter. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Roy Edward Shanklin, and granddaughter Jodie Lizewski.

Visitation will be held under the caring guidance of the McComas Family Funeral Home, Bel Air, Maryland, on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Visitation at Grandview Christian Church, Fallston Maryland on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  Following visitation Services will begin 11am at church, followed by interment at Bel Air Memorial Gardens.

Contributions in LeRoy's memory may be to: Help Heal Veterans at support.healvets.org or Grandview Christian Church 2022 Fallston RD, Fallston, MD 21047.

LeRoy's life was a testament to courage, service, and love for his family. He will be deeply missed by all who know him.