Timothy Shawl

After a valiant fight following a massive heart attack, Timothy Norman Shawl, age 56, of Bellaire, rolled into heaven in a red Camaro to the tune of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” on June 20^th, 2022. Tim was incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support and positivity from his community following his hospitalization, and he had the fortune of spending his last day, Father’s Day, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, knowing how truly loved he was. 

Tim was born on April 9^th, 1966 to Betty and Thomas Shawl and in Bay City, Michigan as the youngest of five children. After his father’s retirement, the family relocated to Bellaire, Michigan in making a beautiful, forested property on Derenzy Road their home. In his youth, Tim enjoyed competitive BMX, even going to the State Championship and becoming a BMX instructor at Spring Hill camp. His family fostered his love for the outdoors, spending countless hours enjoying all the adventure that northern Michigan had to offer – especially boating and skiing. Tim graduated from Bellaire High School in 1984, and went on to work for both the Antrim County and Traverse City airports while also serving as a volunteer firefighter.

In 1991, and again in 1998, Tim was blessed with two beautiful daughters, Amanda and Kaitlyn Shawl, who were the lights of his life. He began working at Anchor Lamina in 1993, where he would continue work for almost 30 years. He felt immense pride and passion towards his work in heat treat – never complaining, even when he had to dawn a full Kevlar suit in the heat of summer – and treasured all the relationships and friends he made through the shop.  

In his thirties, Tim was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, Multifocal Motor Neuropathy, though he never let his condition interfere with his work or passions, and many would never know the extent of his tenacity as he battled this disorder. In fact, through this diagnosis and the match making of his nurse during his biweekly infusion treatment, he was introduced to the love of his life – Tina (Niemi) Shawl.  Married on September 8^th, 2006, the two enjoyed a quiet life in their “castle on the hill.” Through this marriage, Tim also opened his heart to two step-children, Kaylee and Aiden Niemi, who he loved as his own. 

Tim’s greatest passion was anything with a motor: dirt bikes, dune buggies, Jeeps, and snowmobiles – if he could wrench on it, he was happy. He had countless passion projects and builds over the years, but was most proud of his home built dune buggy and lifted Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Tim loved being outdoors – whether that was sitting around a bonfire, tinkering on his tractor, making dirt bike trails around his property, or morel hunting.  In recent years, Tim found a great love for RC cars, building an elaborate workshop and rock crawling tracks to enjoy his hobby, and greatly cherished his time as “Papa” with his grandchildren. 

Tim was welcomed into eternal life by his father Thomas Shawl and mother Betty Shawl Van Antwerp (Erwin); and uncle John Erwin.  Left to carry on his memory is his dedicated wife Tina; daughters Amanda Shawl (Randy Verstrat), Kaitlyn Shawl (Jessey Janus); step-daughter Kaylee Niemi (Derin Lakies); step-son Aiden Niemi; brothers Nathan (Kathy) Shawl, James (Cynthia) Shawl, Johnathan (Belinda) Shawl; sister Ruth Ann (Donald) Nast; and grandchildren Evelyn, Raeghan, and Barrett. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday July 16^th, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the Custer Township Hall. All are welcome to enjoy a lunch and share memories of our good friend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tim’s name to the Neuropathy Action Foundation. 

http://www.neuropathyaction.org/support_naf/index.htm

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Sign Timothy's online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com