Dr. Ella Shannon, 93
Dr. Ella Shannon, 93 of Perrysville passed from this life, Monday, July 20, 2026 in University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center.
She was born on July 16, 1933 in a farmhouse in Ashland County, the daughter of the late Leonard and Maybelle “Peggy” (nee Sayers) Walton.
At the age of three months, her family and older siblings relocated to Florida where they lived for several years.
Ella graduated from Hayesville High School, Class of 1951 where she was named Salutatorian. She married the love of her life, Donald Shannon on June 30, 1951 at Mansfield’s First Christian Church. During the war, Don proudly served in the United States Army. After returning with her husband from military services in New York City, Ella earned a B.S. in Education from Ashland University in 1963, her M.A. in 1967 and a Ph.D. in 1975 both from The Ohio State University.
Ella taught at Loudonville and Perrysville High School from 1963 to 1965 and at Ashland University from 1965-1997 where she was named Chairmanship of the Sport Sciences Department in 1973 and held the position for 25 years and was Field Hockey Coach for eight years. She was instrumental in lady’s athletics in helping to pass Title IX legislation.
Throughout her professional career she accomplished many things including: President of the Ohio Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance from 1980-1981, Director of First Qualifying Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, National Basketball Tournament in 1976, and presenter at 34th World Congress ICHPERD in Ireland at the University of Limerick in 1991. Dr. Shannon was awarded the Ohio Senate Special Citation Award for Leadership in Women’s Athletics in 1973, Ashland University Mentor Award in 1988, inducted into Ashland University’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1990, inducted into Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and OAHPERD’S meritorious award in 1981 and their honorary life membership in 2002. In 2009 she earned the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport Pathfinder award-which honors women who have blazed paths for the future of girls’ and women’s sports. Dr. Shannon retired from Ashland University in 1997 and was designated professor emeritus.
Ella was a world traveler to more than 40 countries and 50 states in the U.S.
She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ashland, Ohio and a former member of Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church.
Ella is survived by her daughter, Donella (Stephen) Embree of Surprise, AZ; sons, Douglas (Patty) Shannon of Perrysville, OH; George (Karen) Shannon of Questa, NM; grandchildren, Audra Snyder, Aaron & Jessica Embree, Michelle (Josh) Gray; Heath (Nicole) Shannon; Lindsay (Matt) Carr; Jesse (Marissa) Shannon & Kenneth Shannon; great grandchildren, Helaina & Calum Gray; Harper and Hudson Carr; Fiona & Lochlan Shannon; and Madison Dannemiller; and her siblings, Richard Walton, Leonard Walton, VeDora Thompson, Barbara Perry, and Judy Bodley.
In addition to her parents, Ella is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Don who passed away on June 8, 2016; a grandson, Felix Shannon; and her siblings, Robert Walton, Herbert Walton, and Dixie Patton.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Center St. Ashland, Ohio with Reverend Kevin McClain presiding. Interment will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Lucas, Ohio. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Dr. Ella Shannon Endowed Scholarship Fund in care of Ashland University, 401 College Ave., Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com