Wesley Lee Shanholtzer

WESLEY LEE SHANHOLTZER, age 86, husband of Karen M. Shanholtzer, died March 7th 2024, at The Woodlands Retirement Community. He was born in Cumberland, Maryland January 25th, 1938. He was the son of the late Clyde Shanholtzer and Lydia Irene Woods Shanholtzer of Moorefield, WV. He was proceeded in death by his brother Chetwynd T. Shanholtzer. Wesley is survived by his wife Karen, his children Geneva (Scott) Straub and Holly (Kenneth) McKenna, all from Huntington. He treasured his grandchildren, Zelda Lee, Artemis Irene, and Otto Charles McKenna, along with Jacob and Trey Straub.

Wesley was a professor of physics at Marshall University for 37 years and continued to lecture and teach labs long after retirement. After graduating from Moorefield High School, he played football for Potomac State College in Keyser, WV. He served in the US Navy Destroyer Fleet on the USS Robinson from 1957-1959. In later years he enjoyed attending USS Robinson reunions in various parts of the country and remained a member of the Tin Can Sailors.

He earned a PhD in physics from West Virginia University and moved to Huntington in 1966 to begin teaching at Marshall University. Wesley was recognized in 2001 with a Distinguished Service Award by the American Association of Physics Teachers. At Marshall he was an academic advisor and served on many university planning committees. He was an advisor for Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity and the Society of Physics Students. He was also a member of Sigma Phi Sigma the physics and astronomy honor society. Wesley was also the author of many articles, lab manuals, and study guides including co authoring the Barron’s MCAT Study Guide.  

A long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Huntington, he served on numerous committees and participated in musical productions organized by the church. Wesley enjoyed being active in the MU Emeritus Club and the Engineers Club of Huntington. He was also a life-long member of the Cat Alley Boys of Moorefield, WV.

When he wasn’t teaching or playing with his grandchildren, Wesley enjoyed volunteering at Cridlin Food and Clothing Pantry and the City Mission.

A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 16th, 2024 with a visitation from 11:00am-12:00pm in the sanctuary, followed immediately by a service. Always a teacher, his body was donated to the Marshall Medical School. Online condolences will be handled through Johnson Tiller Funeral Home.  There will be a burial in Romney, WV at a family plot.

In honor of Wesley, donations can be made to Cridlin Food and Clothing Pantry at 1038 6th Ave Huntington, WV 25701 or to the Woody Williams Foundation at woodywilliams.org/donation-opportunities.html.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Wesley Lee Shanholtzer, please visit our floral store.