Shawn Michael Cortelyou of La Porte, Indiana, died peacefully, but unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the age of 50.

Shawn was born on February 1, 1972 to Larry and Terri (Pirog) Cortelyou in Peoria, IL. He was an only child. Shawn spent his formative years in LaHarpe, IL, in a close-knit farming community and down the road from his grandparents. He is a 1990 LaHarpe High School graduate. He graduated from Ambassador College, in Texas, in 1994 with a computer science degree and then spent a year in Amman, Jordan, with the Ambassador Foundation. He married Beth Corbitt on August 6, 1995 and raised three daughters with her. He was a fun-loving dad who was very involved in his daughters' lives. Shawn owned a window washing business, worked on the family farm and started a school supply co-op with his dad. He was called into the ministry in 2008. After moving to LaPorte, IN, he and Beth started homeschooling their girls. He pastored the Elkhart and Munster, Indiana, United Church of God congregations for 13 years, and served as camp director at Camp Woodmen for 8 years. He had a passion for serving the brethren and digging into the Bible on a daily basis. His life's motto was Matthew 6:33: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…" He never backed down from doing what was right.

Shawn was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan and started coaching kids' baseball leagues when he was a teenager. He coached his daughters from t-ball to pre-teen softball. Shawn was also a classic arcade game enthusiast. His Donkey Kong high score is 236,900, of which he and his daughters are very proud. To his wife's delight, he coined the term "date week" when the kids were out of town visiting grandparents. He and Beth also took an anniversary trip every year. In his spare time, he loved watching movies, expanding his book and comic book collection, and especially spending time laughing with family and friends. He loved making to-do lists, but would always bump family to the top of the list.

Shawn is survived by his parents, Larry & Terri, his wife, Beth, and his children, Megan & Jake Crouse, Emma and Heather, as well as his parents-in-law, Ed & Patti Corbitt, and brother-in-law and family: David & Sandra Corbitt and their children Nick, Alayna, and Hayden, all from Knoxville, TN.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. CT Monday, February 21, 2022, at Banks and Beals Funeral Home, 504 E Main St, LaHarpe, IL with Shawn's friend Len Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the LaHarpe Cemetery.

While no formal visitation will be held, friends may pay their respects from noon until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, February 20th at Banks & Beals in LaHarpe.

A memorial service will be held in LaPorte, Indiana, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Reins of Life, Inc., Therapeutic Horseback Riding: reinsoflife.org. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Shawn's obituary at banksandbeals.com.