Shea Charitable Trust carries on longtime business owners’ compassion for Lawrence Co. residents

By Wendy Pitlick

Black Hills Pioneer DEADWOOD — Jim and Lillian Shea had hearts for helping people in need.

That’s why they established the Shea Charitable Trust in 1999, a fund that has given more than $312,000 to Lawrence County residents who have pressing needs like major medical bills or emergency expenses after a fire, accident or other distressing event. As longtime residents of Deadwood, the couple had great compassion for any of their local brothers and sisters in need, and they wanted to make sure there would always be a way for them to help.

Jim started out in Deadwood working with Porter Lumber Company for 15 years. Then, in 1960 he started his own hardware and building business, Shea’s Inc., which he operated until 1997. Jim and Lillian also owned The Trial of Jack McCall and The Ghost of Deadwood Gulch — regular dramatizations about Deadwood history and lore that were intended to draw tourism to the town.

In addition to his business ventures, Jim also helped established the Black Hills VFW Post 5969 in 1945. He and his wife, Lillian, were also active in many other community ventures, and Jim served as president of the Deadwood Chamber in 1960 and as Deadwood mayor in 1968-1970. In 2005, Deadwood Mayor Francis Toscana declared Jan. 30, 2005 as James E. and Lillian E. Shea Day in Deadwood, and in 2007 James was inducted into the Lead-Deadwood High School Hall of Fame. Jim was also declared the Deadwood/Lead/Central City Citizen of the Year in 2007.

Lillian was known in the Deadwood community and Lawrence County for her kindness and compassion that she showed to others on an individual basis. She carried a “Daily Prayer” that she distributed to people in need, to let them know of Jesus’ love for them.

Jim died at the age of 84 in 2007, while Lillian lived to be 100 years old and died in 2013. The Shea Charitable Trust is part of their legacy and assurance that they will continue to help those in need in perpetuity.

“They were involved in this community,” said Aileen Brunner, president of the Shea Charitable Trust. “They were known for helping people personally through the years. The primary purpose of the charitable trust is to provide funds for emergencies for residents of Lawrence County who may not have funds available to cover. Most recipients have high medical needs, but some also have needs due to fire for example.”

The trust is governed by a board of five Lawrence County residents When members become aware of someone who has a need, the board votes on how to distribute funds. At the end of the year, Brunner said any remaining funds are donated to a local nonprofit organization.

Brunner said the Sheas were also great supporters of Deadwood business.

“They were always promoting business,” she said. “They were active in tourism and so they promoted the area as well. Jim would always say what’s good for business is good for Deadwood. He was also very helpful with individual needs. They told me personally they always felt so bad when there was a high need from the community, like when somebody had a high medical bill. I think the reason this trust was established was because of their compassion for helping people in need.”

The most common use of the funds is to help people with cancer treatment expenses, which can multiply quickly. In 2022 the Shea Charitable Trust helped six people with medical expenses, and also gave money to Lawrence County Teen Court, the

Lord’s Cupboard, Belle Pregnancy Resource Center, Twin City Animal Shelter, NeighborWorks, the Adams Museum and House Endowment Fund, the Good Shepherd Clinic, and Twin City Clothing Center.

The most important qualification for funds, Brunner said, is that recipients have to live in Lawrence County. For more information about the Shea Charitable Trust, or to apply for assistance with funds, email gabrunner73@outlook.com, or contact any one of the board members.

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