Delmont Shaller

Delmont (Del) Vincent Shaller, 89, quietly passed away at his residence in The Gables of Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights, MN on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. He was born in Monroe County, Pennsylvania on August 10, 1925 and grew up in a small community there nestled within the Pocono Mountains. He was the son of Archie and Jennie (Rose) Shaller.
He served in the United States Marine Corps soon out of high school and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, he met the greatest love of his life, Maxine Bookwalter, whom he married in 1946 and cherished for 68 years. She preceded him in death on May 3, 2014.
Del and Maxine moved to South Bend, Indiana after their marriage, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1949 from the University of Notre Dame. Upon graduation, he began a long and productive career with the Indiana and Michigan Electric Company (a division of American Electric Power), where he served in various management positions, including the General Manager of the D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgman, Michigan from 1977 to 1982. He specialized in the nuclear field, attaining a Nuclear Power Operating License and later serving as a team evaluation manager at the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations in Atlanta from 1982 to 1984. He retired from AEP in 1988 after 39 years of tireless service.
In retirement, Del and Maxine spent 25 happy years in Atlanta, where they enjoyed travelling, playing golf, and serving the community. Del was an avid gardener and enjoyed maintaining the glorious flower beds surrounding their home. He served in many capacities at their much loved Sandy Springs Christian Church: in the choir, as president of the congregation, and in Stephen Ministries. We remember him for his unfailingly wry sense of humor, his work ethic, his love of history, and his quiet, gracious strength; but most of all for his overwhelming dedication and love for his wife and family - always tender, strong and true.
Del is survived by two brothers, Calvin Shaller and Gordon Shaller; a sister, Kathryn Reinhart; three sons, Terry (Kathleen Rogers), Rick (Kathy), and Dale (Jenni); six grandchildren, Jon Shaller (Vanessa), Elizabeth Vandre (Eric), Max Shaller, Claire Bjork (Michael), Sarah Shaller, and Ryan Shaller; and three great-grandchildren, Sydney, Ella and Jack Shaller. A fourth great-grandchild is expected in March 2015.
A celebration of the life and faith of Del and Maxine will take place among family and friends in Atlanta at a yet to be determined time in the spring of 2015 when their favorite dogwoods and azaleas bloom.
Del's family is grateful to the kind and faithful visitors from Lakeview Hospice and People's Congregational Church who brightened his days. They are deeply thankful to the Boutwells Landing staff and most especially to the gifted and devoted Gables caregivers for their loving commitment to Del, their many kindnesses to his loved ones, and for the meaningful bedside farewell service and procession of honor that reaffirmed their affection for him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be offered in his name either to Sandy Springs Christian Church or to the Wounded Warrior Project.