Francis J. Shanle

Francis Joseph Shanle, age 83, passed away peacefully at the Columbus Community Hospital with family by his side April 12, 2015 after a brief illness.

Francis was born January 10, 1932 on the family farm near Lindsay, Nebraska to Rudolph and Elizabeth (Wiese) Shanle.
He attended Rural District 64 School near Lindsay. After the sudden death of his father he left school at the age of 15 to help his mother work the family farm. He completed his GED later in his adult life. In 1952 Francis was drafted into the United States Army. He spent 16 weeks at Camp Roberts, California for basic training and then shipped out to Korea. He attained the rank of Sgt. 1st Class, received a combat infantry medal, 2 bronze stars for bravery and an honorable discharge after 20 months of service. In 2014 Francis was one of 460 Korean War veterans to participate in the largest single-day honor flight in history to visit the Korean War Memorial that honors Korean War Veterans service to our country.
Francis married Marylee Ebner May 27, 1957 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. This marriage was blessed with four children. Francis was a loving and devoted husband and father.
In early childhood he began his lifelong love of farming and raising livestock. Francis farmed north of Columbus until his passing. When Francis wasn't farming he loved being the life of the party and he never met a stranger.
Francis was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and was a faithful and devout Catholic. He was also a member of The American Legion Hartman Post #84 and the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his children, Bill (Debra) Shanle of Columbus, Janie (Brad) Hoppens of Ogallala, Gerilyn Shanle of Columbus, Jim (Carrie) Shanle of Columbus; grandchildren, Ryan, Garrit and Grant Shanle, Evan, Mary Beth (David Meier), Keegan, Jordan Isabella, Brittan, Mikah, Miah and Sebastian Hoppens, Jesse, Chantel and Justin Shanle; one great grandson, Abel Hoppens; brother Raymond (Shelia) Shanle of Crescent City, California; sisters, Berdelle Ludden of Newman Grove and Betty Lou (Ken) Bender of Columbus; many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Preceding Francis in death were his wife, Marylee Shanle; a grandson, Dominic Gabriel Hoppens; his parents, Rudolph and Elizabeth Shanle; his brothers, Norman, Alvin and Leland Shanle; sisters, Rita Formanek and Lorraine Snyder and special friend Margaret Blawat.