Damon W. Shingleton, of Citrus Springs, Florida died as the result of a recent stroke on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. He was born July 21, 1926, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and lived much of his life in Connecticut before moving to Florida more than twenty years ago. He was the son of Clarence Otha and Violet Virginia Williams Shingleton and had been happily married to the former Anna Mattson since March 6, 1999. He is survived by his widow, Anna Mattson Shingleton; a son, William Shingleton of North Carolina; a daughter, Denise Shingleton Del Busto and husband Charles of Florida; and another daughter, Rosemarie Shingleton Fusco of New Jersey; Richard Mattson of Wisconsin; James Mattson of Canada; Jean Mattson Miller of Wisconsin; a daughter-in-law, Eileen Shingleton of Connecticut;  seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  In addition, he leaves behind one brother, Richard Shingleton and wife Alice of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. He had been preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Shingleton of Florida; a daughter-in-law, Virginia Colonese Shingleton; two brothers, Clarence Shingleton and James Shingleton; and four sisters, Mary Francis, June Dodson, Adeline Horneff and Jean Egan.

Mr. Shingleton was a proud member of the Greatest Generation, originally attempting to join the Army at age 15 on December 8, 1941, serving in heavy artillery and engineering battalions with Patton’s storied Third Army during its storm across Europe, and participating in the liberation of a number of the concentration camps, until he was wounded in Austria. Returning to duty, he was helping to ship equipment to the Pacific Front when the war ended. He continued on active duty with the occupation forces until his return to the United States and left active duty in 1947.

After the war, he served in the reserves and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant before retiring completely from the military in 1959. Also after the war, Mr. Shingleton worked for Standard Knapp Manufacturing in Portland, Connecticut. There he became active in union affairs that came to be his calling. He eventually moved from the manufacturing unions of the shop to state, county, and municipal employees unions as a representative and a negotiator. He retired in Connecticut, moved to Florida, and returned to active duty with government employee unions in Florida. After retiring again, he was the coordinator of the Ted Williams Baseball Museum in St. Petersburg. He finally retired for good in 1999, which was perhaps the most important year in his life. In 1999, married Ann, he found God, joined the First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, and became a devoted member of the congregation.

There will be no viewing. Funeral services will be held Monday, April  24 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, with Pastor Eddie Fulford officiating. Burial will follow in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida, where the VFW Honor Guard from Post 4864 will conduct military honors for their former commandant. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon Building Fund or to the Disabled American Veterans. The family would like to send a special thanks to each and every one of the staff at the Hospice House in Lecanto. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.robertsofdunnellon.com.  Roberts Funeral Home (352 489.2429) is in charge of the arrangements.

.