Shaner, Willis F. "Bill" 1896-1994

SHANER, DE HAPPORT, SWEARINGEN, COLEMAN, HENSS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/11/2012 at 10:48:33

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Jan. 13, 1994

WILLIS F. SHANER

Willis F. "Bill" Shaner, 97, of Fort Collins, Colo., formerly of Grinnell, died Jan. 3 at Spring Creek Health Care Center there.

Funeral services were conducted Jan. 7 at the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins. The body was cremated. A memorial service was held Jan. 12 at the Presbyterian Church in Winfield, Iowa.

He was the son of George and Elizabeth May de Happort Shaner and was born Sept. 24, 1896, in Milo, Mo. He was a 1914 graduate of Olds High School.

He was married to Elnora Swearingen July 9, 1921, in Burlington. Mr. Shaner served with the U.S. Army during World War I and the U.S. Navy in World War II. Mr. Shaner worked in Chicago and New York City, playing tuba and string base. He had worked with such performers as Bing Crosby and Jimmy Durante, and he traveled with the Ringling Bros. Circus. He returned to Iowa in the early 1930s, playing in pit bands of theater houses in Des Moines.

Mr. Shaner also owned and operated a furniture store in Grinnell. He also served as assistant conductor and first-chair tuba player for the Navy Pre-flight band in Iowa City. He was a member of the Musicians Union, Shriners, Masons and Eastern Star.

Surviving are his son, Willis, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and two sisters, Lelia Coleman and Florence Henss.