Shawn was released from his pain after a long fight with Cholangiocarcinoma (liver cancer) on Thursday night, Jan. 26, 2023.

Shawn passed surrounded by the love and support of family and friends with special words from his beloved daughter Sierra, who meant the world to him.

Shawn was born in Eureka on April 11, 1975. After a short but honorable service as a United States Marine, Shawn followed his father’s footsteps into the trades - and thanks to his mentor Dennis Fitze, became the “jack of all trades” his family and friends knew him to be.

Shawn, ever the skeptic, was relentless in pursuit of truth and fact. He was always quick to point out when someone wasn’t being logical or rational, but he saw all perspectives, and respected everyone’s feelings. Shawn was always the first one to volunteer to help a friend, and stubbornly the last one to ask his friends for help. 

The brightest light, and greatest love of Shawn’s life, his daughter Sierra Schlegel, came into the world in 2010.  Shawn and Sierra were inseparable as they cared for each other, went on long walks on “stinky beach,” rode bikes, camped and hiked in the Sierras. 

Shawn was preceded in death by his grandparents Gertrude & George E. ll Schlegel, Jeannie & Sherman Newstrom, multiple aunts and uncles, and his dog, Sassy.

Shawn is survived by his daughter Sierra Schlegel, dog Bella, father George Schlegel, sister Sherri Schlegel, nephews Justin and Cody Gerfen, uncle Sherman Newstrom, and countless cousins and friends.

The family asks that anyone wishing to express their love for Shawn donate to the Cholangiocarcinoma foundation at Cholangiocarcinoma.org.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Shawn Schlegel’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.