Homegrown in Lebanon: Resident Spotlight on Dennis and Karen Shalters

Some families have deep roots in Lebanon County. For Dennis and Karen Shalters, those roots stretch back more than a century and even include a remarkable connection to one of baseball’s greatest legends.

Karen Shalters’ grandfather, a 1905 graduate of Lebanon Valley College and employee of Bethlehem Steel, played baseball in the Bethlehem Steel League during the 1910s. In 1918, his team faced a Lebanon Steel League team that included none other than Babe Ruth. It is a family story that connects the Shalters to both local history and one of America’s most beloved pastimes.

That sense of connection to place has remained a constant throughout Dennis and Karen’s lives.

Both natives of Lebanon County, Karen spent part of her childhood in Pittsburgh after moving there at age eight but returned to Lebanon County in 1965 after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in elementary education. She began her teaching career in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District, teaching second grade at South Lebanon Elementary before moving to sixth grade when the district formed a middle school.

One of her favorite memories from her teaching career came in 1967 when all 33 of her sixth-grade students attended her wedding to Dennis.

Dennis’ path looked a little different. After graduating from high school in 1962, he enlisted in the United States Navy. Following his military service, the couple moved to Indiana so Dennis could attend Trine University, where he earned a degree in Business and Economics. During that time, Karen continued teaching, instructing fifth and sixth graders in the Prairie Heights School District and later teaching second grade for two years.

The couple met through mutual friends at a party. One of those friends, Don Lesher, remains a close friend today and is now a fellow Cornwall Manor resident along with his wife, Nancy.

After Dennis completed college, the Shalters returned to Lebanon County, where they would build both their family and their careers. Karen accepted a long-term substitute position in the Lebanon School District and the couple welcomed their first child, Melissa.

Dennis began a career that eventually led him to establish his own successful business. After working as a manager for JCPenney and at Marty’s Music Store, he founded Shalters Insurance. For 35 years, he provided life insurance and investment services through Northwestern Mutual.

As business owners and community members, Dennis and Karen became deeply involved throughout Lebanon County. Their commitment to service touched nearly every corner of the community.

Dennis served on the Good Samaritan Hospital Board, the Lebanon School Board and with the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce. He also chaired the Lebanon Valley Educational Partnership (LVEP), a unique collaboration between Lebanon Valley College and the Lebanon School District. The program encourages talented students facing economic hardship to pursue higher education and provides pathways to tuition-free attendance at Lebanon Valley College.

The Shalters’ dedication to the community extended even further when they co-chaired the United Way capital campaign in 2007, helping raise more than $2 million for community initiatives.

Through it all, Dennis and Karen remained active in their church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and continued volunteering throughout the Lebanon Valley.

“We both agree that raising a family and running a business in Lebanon County has been a fabulous experience,” they share. “It was a great way to meet people, grow a business and build relationships. Lebanon has always been home.”

After enjoying every stage of life in the community they loved, the couple knew exactly where they wanted to spend their retirement years.

“When the time came to make decisions about retirement, we always knew we wanted to come to Cornwall Manor,” says Karen.

In fact, they never considered another retirement community. During their search, they toured a bright and sunny two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in the Carriage House. Knowing that members of their church had previously lived there made the decision even easier.

“We reserved it right away,” Karen recalls.

The couple moved to Cornwall Manor in June 2022 and quickly immersed themselves in campus life.

Karen serves as a Carriage House building representative through the Residents Association and co-chaired the Society’s Blooms & More Festival in 2024. She recently joined the Pen Pals program, which connects Cornwall Manor residents with fourth-grade students at nearby Cornwall Elementary School through letter writing.

Dennis serves on the Cornwall Manor Concert Series committee and both volunteer during the annual Blooms & More Festival.

They have also enjoyed the many opportunities available on campus. Karen especially enjoys shopping at the Friday Farm Market, while both appreciate the active lifestyle Cornwall Manor supports.

Three to four mornings each week, they can be found exercising at the YMCA. In their free time, Karen enjoys reading and working crossword puzzles, while Dennis likes reading history books and cheering on the Phillies, Eagles and Steelers. They also enjoy dining out, especially at Lazarro’s Italian Bistro in nearby Palmyra.

Family remains at the center of their lives. Dennis and Karen have been married for 59 years and are proud parents of daughter Melissa, who lives in Enola, and son Christian, who lives in Florida with his family. Together, they have five grandchildren, three in Enola and two in Florida.

Their children are especially grateful that their parents chose Cornwall Manor.

For Dennis and Karen, Cornwall Manor has provided exactly what they hoped for: a vibrant community where they can continue giving back, staying active and enjoying life on their own terms.

“Cornwall Manor allows us to be what we want to be,” says Karen. “Everything is offered to you. You can be as active as you want. It’s whatever you want. We’re so happy that we are here.”