Cover photo for Franklin     "Pete" E. Shaw III's Obituary
Franklin     "Pete" E. Shaw III Profile Photo
1932 Franklin 2020

Franklin "Pete" E. Shaw III

February 10, 1932 — July 20, 2020

Franklin Eugene “Pete” Shaw, III, 88, of Battle Creek, went home to the Lord, Monday, July 20, 2020 at home surrounded by his family.

Pete was born February 10, 1932 to Franklin E. and Elizabeth “Betty” Bailes Shaw, Jr. one of Battle Creek’s oldest families.

Pete was a 1950 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School where he met and married sweetheart Marian “Joyce” Robinson in 1954, she survives.

He embarked on a business degree at the University of Michigan and left college temporarily to serve in the U. S. Coast Guard. Pete entered on July 1, 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio and was honorably discharged on June 29, 1956 at Cheboygan, Michigan. He served two years on the Great Lakes aboard the ice breaker, USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83).

Returning to college, he completed his degree in business administration at UM in 1958.   Pete then had a prolific 25-year career with the Kellogg Company where he was Credit and Collections Manager at headquarters in Battle Creek.  In his work at Kellogg, he traveled throughout the United States on behalf of the company.  Following retirement in 1983, Pete worked daily at the family business, Shaw Funeral Homes alongside his brothers, Tom and Mike, including, being on call at all hours of the day and most every funeral.  He worked until the business was sold to Kempf Family Funeral Homes in 2015.

A loyal Episcopalian and lifetime member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Pete served many years on the Vestry and as Jr. Warden.  He also served on the Diocesan Council of the Bishop Wittemore Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan for many years.  Being savvy in finance, he led the Parish collection accounting teams each Sunday for many years and managed much of the church finances.

An avid sports fan, Pete seldom missed a University of Michigan football game in Ann Arbor and attended many major league baseball games while traveling for Kellogg.  Pete also coached his son’s baseball teams and Little League for many years, and sailed competitively in the Thistle Class of the Goguac Yacht Club.  He was an active tennis player at Battle Creek Country Club, and was a member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity at Michigan and a longtime member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited.  Additionally, Pete was a member of the Battle Creek Rotary Club, Kellogg 25-Year Club, and Knife and Fork Club.

Pete grew up in a multi-generational family in the Washington Heights area of Battle Creek.  Included in the household were his parents, Franklin E. Jr. and Betty Shaw; his grandmother, Cornelia Shaw; uncles, John R. Shaw, William H. “Bill” Shaw, Robert Shaw; and aunt, Margaret L. “Peg” Shaw, all of them preceded him in death.

He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas R. Shaw and J. Michael Shaw, and daughter-in-law, Sharon K. Shaw.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, M. Joyce (Robinson) Shaw; sons, David R. Shaw, Franklin E. “Skip” (Jolene Searls) Shaw, IV, and Peter R. Shaw, all of Battle Creek; grandchildren, Jessica M. Shaw, of Raleigh, NC, Joshua R. (Amanda) Shaw, of Cary, NC, Stephanie M. Shaw, of Chicago, IL, Andrew R. Shaw, of Battle Creek. And Howard Weatherspoon of Battle Creek; great-grandchildren, Tyler Shaw of Cary, NC, Addisyn Shaw of Cary, NC, Lily Bailey of Raleigh, NC and Harrison Shaw, of Cary, NC.  Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Esther M. Shaw of Battle Creek and Julie Shaw of Gull Lake, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was an honorable and humble man who was beloved by many.

A memorial service to honor Pete’s life will be announced at a later date. A private committal service, with military honors, will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, in Augusta, MI.

Family suggests memorials to St. Thomas Episcopal Church or Elara Caring Hospice.

Arrangements were entrusted by Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 2838 Capital Ave. SW Battle Creek, Michigan 49015. Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Franklin "Pete" E. Shaw III, please visit our flower store.

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