Myrna Shearer

Powerball Winner • PA • 2008

Jackpot (2024$)

N/A

lump sum

Age at Win

Unknown

Quick Facts

Win Date
October 29, 2008
State
PA
Winner Type
couple
Marital Status
married
Ticket Type
Quick Pick
Payment Choice
lump sum
After Tax
$23M
Divorced After Win
Yes

Timeline

*
Date unknown

Won $30.2M Powerball

Winning numbers 20-30-37-50-52, Powerball 33. Quick Pick purchase at Bookland, York, PA.

*
Date unknown

Claimed lump sum

Elected cash option of $30.2M, approximately $22.6M after federal taxes. Pennsylvania exempts lottery winnings from state tax.

*
Date unknown

Acquired Black Forest Inn

Purchased remote inn in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania Wilds as 'dream' investment.

*
Date unknown

Local media feature

Lock Haven Express highlights inn as 'dream come true' for the couple.

*
Date unknown

Son joins management

Son's initials appear on Seller's Property Disclosure for electrical systems.

*
Date unknown

Divorce filed

Myrna files for divorce in Lycoming County (Case FC-19-20994).

*
Date unknown

Dissipation of Assets hearing

Hearing for Petition Against Dissipation of Assets - accusation that marital property was squandered.

*
Date unknown

COVID telephonic hearing

Motion for Special Relief heard telephonically during pandemic lockdown.

*
Date unknown

Inn listed for sale

Black Forest Inn listed at $1,100,000 as divorce liquidation.

*
Date unknown

First price cut

Price reduced by $100,000 (9.1%) to $1,000,000.

*
Date unknown

Price reduced again

Price dropped to $995,000 to break psychological $1M barrier.

*
Date unknown

Property still unsold

Inn remains on market, costing ~$7,000/month in carrying costs. Annual taxes $14,007.

Analysis

Protective Factors

  • +LLC structure (ultimately blurred during liquidation)
  • +Pennsylvania tax exemption (saved ~$927K)

How They Found Out

Not documented in detail. The couple discovered their win amid the 2008 financial crisis, when Lehman Brothers had just collapsed and global markets were in freefall.

Research Quality: verified Last Updated: 1/4/2026Years Tracked: 18