Rich Shinn

Richard F. Shinn, age 95, formerly of Dunning, NE passed away May 10, 2025, at Brookstone View in Broken Bow, NE. Joint memorial services for both Richard and his wife, Marilyn, who preceded him in death on April 29, 2024, will be held at the Sandhills High School Gymnasium in Dunning on June 28, 2025, at 11:00. Private family graveside service will take place prior to the memorial service at the Dunning Cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Memorials suggested to the Blaine County Area Community Foundation Fund or Custer County Foundation.

John Richard Franklin Shinn, Jr. was born February 26, 1930, in Dunning, NE to Richard (Dick) F. and Evelyn M. (Burgett) Shinn. Richard spent his entire life in the Sandhills of Nebraska following in his father’s footsteps raising turkeys in cattle country. In his early years, his family lived near Goldman Lake northwest of Brewster until the family settled between Dunning and Halsey where he and his father expanded the turkey growing business over the next several decades.

At the early age of 7 Richard lost his mother Evelyn, his father later married Lola McLean of Broken Bow. Richard attended Hardscrabble school through the eighth grade, attended High School at Curtis Agricultural School in Curtis, NE and Graduated from the UNL College of Agriculture in 1951. Shortly after graduation from UNL he was drafted into the Army for 2 years, serving in the Antiaircraft Artillery in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned home where he became a partner with his father in the family turkey business, Shinn Turkeys.

His sister, Lou, arranged a blind date and this is where Richard met the love of his life. Richard and Marilyn Talbot of Broken Bow married on September 3,1955. Richard brought his bride to the home they built and lived in for 64 years on the bank of the Middle Loup River. To this union four sons: Douglas, Michael, Bruce, and Bradley were welcomed to the family. As his family grew so did the turkey business. Richard taught his sons many things, the most important of which was a strong work ethic.

Richard engaged in not only the turkey business but many other related businesses. He served on local school boards from 1954 to 1974. Richard served on the Boards of Custer Federal Savings and Loan, Nebraska Turkey Growers, Nebraska Turkey Federation, Nebraska Poultry Industry, Midwest Poultry Federation, Norbest, Inc., Production Credit of the Midlands-Omaha, Farm Credit Bank-Omaha, Ag America Farm Credit Bank-Spokane, WA, Governor of NE Agricultural Advisory Board, Midwest Poultry Consortium, Inc, and Nebraska Agriculture Relations Council. Richard was a member of the Blaine County VFW and Sandhills Community Church.

Richard was fortunate to receive several honors through the years: Nebraska Poultry Person of the Year, Honor Family Nominee-Lincoln Journal Star, Who’s Who in Nebraska-Centennial Edition, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Nebraska Poultry Industries Hall of Fame, UNL Honorary Dr. of Science Degree nominee, Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement-Inductee, University of NE Outstanding Alumni Award, National Turkey Federation Lifetime Achievement Award, University of Nebraska Animal Science Award-Block & Bridle Club, UNL 50 year Alumni Achievement Award.

Richard and Marilyn enjoyed 68 years together raising their family, enjoying their grandchildren, great grandchildren, traveling to China, England, Ireland, and all over the United States. Richard’s love of fishing took him to Alaska, Northwest Territories, Canada, Gulf of America, and many lakes across the US. Richard and Marilyn loved the Sandhills. They enjoyed many years at their cabin near the Calamus Reservoir hosting numerous family get togethers as well as friends. Some of their favorite stories revolved around their many adventures with cherished friends. In his “Retirement” Richard started golfing with his buddies where there were lots of laughs, inaccurate stroke counting, and a few good shots.

Richard is survived by his four sons and their wives: Douglas (Ann Marie), Michael (Brenda), Bruce (Noreen), and Bradley (Julie). Grandchildren Mary (Tyler) Roxbury, Andrew Shinn, Riley (Drew) Weir, Nolan (Katherine) Shinn, Jordan (Whitney) Shinn, Bethany (Nelson) Micek, Christina (Kyle) Mendyk, Grant (Felipe) Longoria-Shinn, and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Nephews Craig Smith and James Smith, brother-in-law Ted (Deb) Talbot, niece Erin (Dan) Branca and sister-in-law Ginger Talbot.

Richard is preceded in death by his wife Marilyn, his father Dick, Sr., mother Evelyn Shinn, sister Lou Smith, stepmother Lola Shinn, great grandson Marlowe Shinn and several angel great-grandchildren.