Donald Shanley Obituary

Donald Philip Shanley, 92, passed away peacefully at home on June 14, 2025. Born in Chicago, Don was the youngest of John and Bert Shanley's 4 children. He grew up in Whiting, IN, graduated from the University of Notre Dame (1955) and served in the US Army from 1955-57. He married Helen (Steinken) in 1958. In 1970, at the age of 33, Don decided to leave the world of corporate accounting and purchased the Dubuque Yacht Basin. He and Helen ran the marina, dive shop, and sometimes the Wheelhouse restaurant for over 30 years, retiring in 2004. A consummate adventurer, he was a scuba instructor for many years as well as an accomplished bow hunter and award-winning trap and skeet shooter.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, daughter, Eileen Shanley-Roberts (Ross), Granddaughter Emily Shanley-Roberts (Alec Ruiz-Ramon), and great granddaughter Diana, dog, Muffet, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Bertha, siblings Eileen, John, and Robert, and granddaughter Abigail.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Potosi with Father Mark Miller officiating. Burial will be in the St. Andrews Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. In lieu of plants and flowers, the family suggests memorials be donated to the pulmonary fibrosis foundation or a charity of your choice. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory of Potosi is assisting the family.