Thomas Russell Shinaver Sr.

Thomas “Tom” Shinaver, age 84, of Curtice, Ohio, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at Mercy Health–St. Charles Hospital, surrounded by those he loved. He was born on November 14, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio, to Alfred (Russ) and Randy Viola (Kuehnle) Shinaver. Tom married the love of his life, Sharon Welter, on November 17, 1962. During their 46 years together, they raised three incredible children: Melinda, Tommy, and David. Tom and Sharon loved to travel and spent their winters at their residence in Fort Myers, Florida. The friends they met at Ebb Tide became family and were there for Tom as he continued spending winters in Florida until 2022, when Hurricane Ian destroyed their home.

Growing up in East Toledo, Tom attended Macomber High School, graduating in 1959. During high school, he participated in the woodworking program, which led to his first job as a carpenter working for his father. He joined American Motors and, after 36 years, retired as a supervisor from Chrysler Jeep Corporation on December 31, 2000. Tom was not one to sit idle and immediately began working as a driver for Luther Home of Mercy in Williston, Ohio. He continued in that role for 25 years, retiring in January 2026.

Family and friends were most important to him. Tom and Sharon’s home was a place of love, where the door was always open to anyone for holiday dinners, backyard barbecues, crab legs on the patio, or a bowl of chili. Whether you stopped by to share a story, play poker, or enjoy a quick game of marbles, you were always welcome to have a beer or two. Christmas was his favorite holiday, as was evident from the number of people who gathered for his famous mashed potatoes with extra butter and the many decorations he displayed.

In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking and gardening. Whether helping his children, grandchildren, friends, or other family members, he was always there to lend a hand with a home project, offer an opinion, or provide the tool or idea no one else had. During the fall, you could find him in his woodshop, crafting Christmas presents with his hands and heart.

Tom was the family barber, giving his children and grandchildren their first haircuts. It was only fitting that David gave him his last.

Although he was proud of his children and their accomplishments, he was equally proud, if not prouder, of his grandchildren. Many of their most cherished memories were made spending time with their Papa in Florida. Ashley was blessed to have him there for her college career. The others have favorite moments with him included walking along the beach looking for sand dollars, watching sunsets, playing marbles, and watching game shows. He showed them that growing old could be fun. He even had the pleasure of sharing his birthday with his grandson Jake. Papa and Gaga’s house was a place where they made cherished memories. He was extremely excited each and every time he learned he was going to be a G-Papa.

Tom is survived by his children, Melinda Shinaver (Ray Rygalski) and David (Cheryl) Shinaver; grandchildren, Eric (Andrea) Ciesielczyk and Ashley (Timothy) Dcosta, and their father, Donald Ciesielczyk; John (Jodi) Shinaver and Jacob Shinaver, and their mother, Yvonne Shinaver; Steven Shinaver, Zachary Shinaver, Danielle Shinaver, Kaylee Shinaver, Alyssa Shinaver, and Rylee Shinaver; bonus grandchildren, Michelle Martinez, Kayleigh Rygalski, Kristen (Dustin) Ramsey, and Kasha Rygalski; great-grandchildren, Ruby, Everly, Parker, Alexander, Damien, Everett, and Bodhi; his aunt, Joan O’Connell; and siblings, Carolyn Mahr, Patricia Bevier, Franklin Shinaver, and Joseph Shinaver. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sharon; his son, Thomas Jr.; his siblings, Donald, Barbara, and Ruth Ann; and his special friend, Sandy Guerrero.

Family and friends may visit Freck Funeral Chapel, 1155 S. Wynn Rd., Oregon, Ohio, on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tom was a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, where a funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 9, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Luther Home of Mercy or the Oregon-Northwood Rotary Club.