Thomas Shawver Associated Press (AP) correspondent Thomas Lyle Shawver, 81, of Lansing, died Friday, July 25, 2008. Mr. Shawver was one of more than 300 reporters who covered the 1957 opening of the Mackinac Bridge. He also was part of the Pulitzer Prize winning team of journalists that covered the Detroit riots in 1967.

Last November, Mr. Shawver returned to St. Ignace to mark the 50th anniversary of the bridge with his long time friend and fellow correspondent, Tom Farrell, formerly of United Press International (UPI), who also covered the 1957 event.

"He was a classy guy," Mr. Farrell of Lansing told The St. Ignace News.

"He was a good citizen," said Larry Rubin of St. Ignace, first executive secretary of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, who has stayed in touch with both reporters through the years. "He did good things for people and the community. I'm proud to know him."

Mr. Shawver was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, August 22, 1926, and was the son of Caspar D. and Ella (nee Lyle) Shawver. He was named after his grandfather, Thomas Lyle.

In 1944, following his graduation from Fort Collins High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, he joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946 in the Quartermaster Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. Following his discharge, he earned a degree in political history and journalism in 1950 from Stanford University.

Mr. Shawver's journalistic career began in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He later joined the Associated Press, reporting in Chicago, Detroit, and Lansing. In 1962, he became the politics writer for the Detroit Free Press.

In 1968, Mr. Shawver began working for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) as public information administrator, retiring from that position in 1992. A sign honoring him is posted at the Grand Island scenic turnout just west of Munising.

He edited the St. Paul's Episcopal Church News in Lansing for 24 years, where he was a member and former Vestry member. He was a volunteer with the Eaton County Historical Commission and as a member of the board of Friends of Michigan History at the state museum.

He had many hobbies, including playing the bagpipes for 35 years, reflecting his Scottish ancestry. He had been a member of the Clan MacRae Pipe Band, Clan MacNeill Pipe Band, and Glen Erin Pipe Band. He was one of the co-founders of the 40-year-old No- Guff golf league.

Mr. Shawver is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jean Jenvey Shawver; his sister, Marian Shawver Delp of Wilmington, Delaware; a sister-in-law, Margaret Jenvey of Ypsilanti, and a cousin, Rebecca Bright of Paola, Kansas. He is also survived by seven nephews, Gary Delp of Rochester, Minnesota, Bryan Delp of Vero Beach, Florida, Scott Delp of Stanford, California, David Delp of San Francisco, California, Timothy Jenvey of Thomasboro, Illinois, Bruce Jenvey of Royal Oak, and Douglas Jenvey of Willis; grand-nieces and grandnephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services took place Saturday, August 2, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lansing.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Shawver Fund for Special Programs, in care of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 218 West Ottawa, Lansing, Michigan 48933.