Profile Text
Birth Name: Charles Weedon Westover
Date of Birth: December 30, 1934
Place of Birth: Coopersville, Michigan, U.S.
Date of Death: February 8, 1990
Place of Death: Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, as well as German, Scottish, Welsh, French-Canadian, and Cornish
Del Shannon was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was known for his 1961 number-one Billboard hit “Runaway.”
He was the son of Leone Virginia and Bert Leon Westover.
Del’s paternal grandfather was Jonathan Gleason Westover, Jr. (the son of Jonathan Gleason Westover and Jean Rae). Del’s grandfather Jonathan was born in Nunica, Ottawa County, Michigan, to Canadian parents. Del’s great-grandfather Jonathan was born in Haldimand, Ontario, the son of Charles Edward Westover, who was born in New York; and of Sabra Mindwell Gleason, whose father was from Connecticut. Del’s great-grandmother Jean was born in Georgina, York, Ontario, the daughter of Scottish parents, John Rae, who was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire; and Elizabeth Jane Allan/Allen, who was born in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.
Del’s paternal grandmother was Edith May Hagon (the daughter of Charles Henry Hagon and Catherine Elizabeth Trankler). Edith was born in Nunica, Ottawa County, Michigan. Charles was born in Canada, and was a farmer. Catherine was German.
Del’s maternal grandfather was Weeden Henry Mosher (the son of Merrit/Merritt Peckham Mosher and Mary Shafer/Shaeffer). Weeden was born in Ottawa County, Michigan. Merrit was born in New York, the son of David Mosher and Phebe Cooper. Mary was born in Potsdam, Germany.
Del’s maternal grandmother was Blanche Fern Reed (the daughter of Elroy M. Reed and Celista H. Smith). Blanche was born in Coopersville, Ottawa County, Michigan. Celista was born in Michigan.
Sources: Genealogies of Del Shannon – https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com