- Date Of Birth: March 31, 1933
- Date Of Death: October 14, 2021
- State: Iowa
John Shonts, age 88, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021, in Charlotte, NC. John was born March 31, 1933, in Charlottesville, Virginia, son of Theodore Howard and Lois (Jones) Shonts. He married Elizabeth “Beth” Scasny in 1964 and they had a daughter and son.
Major Shonts took great pride in his military career and served 26 years in the United States Air Force. He retired as a Command Pilot. John excelled as an instructor pilot and trained over 500 student pilots. He flew an array of aircraft from F-86 fighters to B-52 bombers during his career. John was a Vietnam veteran and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for his valor in combat. He retired from the Air Force to Des Moines where he worked as an Operations Officer at the Des Moines International Airport.
John enjoyed sport shooting, hunting, and was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. In retirement, John’s love of animals got him involved in dog shows, and he competed with his Papillons and won many awards.
John is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Beth”, children Eve Christine Shonts of Des Moines, Christian Michael Shonts (Dena Dellamuth Shonts) of Charlotte, and his granddaughters, Samantha Shonts, Katie Shonts, and Olivia Shonts. Also surviving are his brother, Theodore Howard Shonts Jr. (Katherine McCoy Shonts) of Charlotte and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
