Lonnie Eugene Shellnut

Munising

Lonnie Eugene Shellnut, age 63, of Munising, died at 11:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at his home under the loving care of his family and North Woods Home Hospice.  He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on March 20, 1955 to the late Robert and Faye (Stanley) Shellnut.  The family moved to Michigan and Lonnie grew up in Royal Oak.  He graduated from Royal Oak Dondero High School in 1973.  Lonnie was working at Big Boy in Sterling Heights when he met and pursued the cashier, Judith Dishaw.  They were married on August 2, 1974 and together raised their five children.  Lonnie served in the U.S. Air Force from 1974 until 1982 as a Security Police Officer.  He was stationed at the Kincheloe AFB in Kincheloe, MI and the Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX.  When Lonnie was honorably discharged, the family returned to Michigan and he worked for Kroger, the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News.  During that time, he also owned Macomb Oakland Vending.  Lonnie was involved with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and served on the District Council.  He was a member of the Goodfellows of Warren and served as a “professional volunteer” for those who needed help.  In 2002, Lonnie and Judy moved to Munising and owned and operated The Navigator Restaurant and Suites until earlier this year.  He was a member of the American Legion in Munising.   Lonnie loved working at the restaurant and visiting with customers and friends, and he shared a love of motorcycles with his best friend, Everet McNally.  He also loved haggling for deal always said “Cash is King.”

Lonnie is survived by his wife of forty-four years – Judy Shellnut of Munising; four children – NiKatie Shellnut of Sterling Heights, Jeremiah (Candace) Shellnut of Sterling Heights, Jonathan (Katherine) Shellnut of Midland, and Amanda (Kyle) Storm of Wetmore; grandchildren – Travis, Cheyenne, Kayla, Dakota, Gabriel, Mackenzie, Joshua, Abigail, Gabrielle, Peter, Nora, and Hurshel; great-grandchildren – Caiden and one on the way; siblings – Ronnie Shellnut, Connie Shellnut (Julio Turcios), Donnie (Vicki) Shellnut, and Sara (Gerald) Ferrier; and many nieces and nephews.  Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Faye, his son Joshua Michael Shellnut, grandchildren Mindy and Michael, and brother Sonnie Shellnut.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising on Monday, August 6, 2018 from 1:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m.  The American Legion and Vietnam Veteran Honor Guard will conduct military honors at 7:30 p.m.

Services will also be held at the Modetz Riverside Chapel in Waterford, Michigan at 5630 Pontiac Lake Road on Thursday, August 9th from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, August 10th  from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.   Glenn Leach will officiate Lonnie's funeral at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home's chapel.  Interment will be at the Roseland Park Cemetery in Berkley, Michigan.