NILES - Retired Judge Mitchell F. Shaker, 90, passed away Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in the comfort of his home.
Mitchell was born Jan. 3, 1922, in Niles, the son of Isaac and Sophia Hikel Shaker.
He attended St. Stephen School in Niles and graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1939. He earned Magna Cum Laude distinction at John Carroll University in 1943, after which he served two years as U.S. Navy Captain LCT during World War II in the South Pacific Theater.
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Mitchell F. Shaker
He attained a Juris Doctor degree in 1948 from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he was inducted into the honorary scholastic society, Order of the Coif.
Mitchell spent much of his career in public service. He served 22 years as Niles City Law Director and 23 years as Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Trumbull County Democratic Central and Executive Committees. He held a private law practice in Niles from 1948 until 1983, at which time he was appointed to the Common Pleas Bench in Trumbull County, serving until 1997.
Post-retirement, he was assigned by the Ohio Supreme Court to preside as Acting Retired Judge in several other counties until 2002. He then joined his sons, Christopher and Robert, at Shaker & Shaker LLP in Niles as "Of Counsel" until 2009. Notable projects for which he advocated over the course of his career include renovating the Trumbull County Courthouse and annexing to the City of Niles commercial property along State Route 422 that encompasses the Eastwood Mall, Great East Plaza and Niles Park Plaza. He also developed residential property in Niles with his brother, Simon.
Mitchell was a lifelong member of St. Stephen Church, where he also served as usher.
He is survived by his eight children, Mary Alice, Peggy (Holmes), Mitchell, Kathryn (James) Earnhart, Thomas, Patricia, Christopher (Bonnie) and Robert (Angee); eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
His wife, Mary Christopher Shaker, with whom he cherished more than 50 years of marriage, died April 17, 1998.
Mitchell is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Simon and Joseph Shaker; and a sister, Josephine Stets.
There were no calling hours. The family held a private Mass in celebration of his life.
Tributes may be made to the Tuition Angel Fund at St. Stephen School, 45 South Chestnut Ave., Niles, OH 44446.
To send a condolence, visit holetonyuhasz.com. Arrangements were handled by Holeton-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Niles.
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