Dennis Shappard

Dennis "Denny" Edward Shappard, 66, died at 5:37 am Tuesday March 10, 2015 at Good Samaritan Hospital. He died peacefully in his sleep to await his resurrection. Born in Danville, Indiana on May 6, 1948 as the only child to Clarence and Thelma Shappard where both parents worked at Millers Restaurant in Indianapolis. He lived his first five years in Indianapolis before moving to Vincennes. He started his education in the Catholic School System where he learned good values and the drive to do better for others.He graduated from Central Catholic High School and then attended Vincennes University studying electronics. Denny worked on area melon farms, the state highway, and filling stations to pay for college. After graduating from V.U. in 1968 he went on to Indiana State University to receive a Bachelor of Science and a Master's of Science in Manufacturing Technology and confided that his real calling was to teach and he wanted to teach at Vincennes University. This he was very able to do, staying 33 years at V.U. He emphasized to his students hard work and preparation for your career will get you there. He retired seeing the Technology Department at V.U. expanding and offering B.S. programs.Denny had other interests outside of teaching, he was an avid reader of history especially the American Civil War period and JoAnn and he often visited historical sites from that era. Other hobbies were motorcycles, classic rock music, and also enjoyed fishing, and camping with his brother in laws and taking their children on trips, family gatherings, road trips, playing cards, talking around the fire with his brother in laws, and being a regular "cut up."Surviving is his wife, JoAnn (Boggs) Shappard; his son, Adam Shappard of Terre Haute; his daughter, Angela Thompson of Oaktown; and his grandchildren, Caleb Shappard, Kari Shappard, Daniel Shappard, and Zoey Thompson. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday March 13, 2015 at Goodwin Funeral Home with Rev. Nelson Arnold officiating. Burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday and from 10:00 am until the service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Vincennes University Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.goodwinfamilyfh.com