Rodger Joe ShinnIndependence, KS

Rodger was one of 5 brothers born to Jack Stanly Shinn and Rena Grace (Ritter) Shinn on September 4, 1938 on the Studebaker farm, RR2 Fredonia, KS. He attended rural schools, Green Valley and West Rainbow, then New Albany school. He then attended grades 7 and 8 at Lincoln school in Fredonia, KS and then graduated from Fredonia High School in 1956.

When he reached the age of 18, Rodger volunteered for the US Army draft. He then spent 15 months in Korea at Camp Saint Barbara just below the DMZ (divided military zone) as a member of I Corps as a forward observer and was in command post his last 6 months in Korea. Their motto was “We findem” “You shootem”. The USA had 28,000 troops in Korea in 1957 and there would be one Korea soldier of the month chosen by nomination and winning the competition. I Corps chose Rodger to compete and he won the Korea Soldier of the month. The attached picture was taken on the same day. One of the perks for winning Korea Soldier of the month was a 7 day R and R (rest and recreation) in Japan if you could afford it. An example of this was Rodger as a Private first class with less than 2 years in the army received $83.00 per month and after federal with holding and social security was taken out, he had $62.00 to last for the month. Rodger’s metals received were Korea Defense Service, and Good Conduct. On coming back from Korea on the troop ship General Daniel I Sultan 5 decks and 609 ft. in length, the ship went under the Golden Gate bridge on September 4, 1958, Rodgers birthday. He always commented that he was fortunate to see something so awesome to him on his 20th birthday that he never forgot.

After his Army tour, Rodger was employed by the Fredonia General Portland Cement plant for 5 years and then decided to go to college. Having a full time job and always one or two part time jobs, it took him 6 years to get a BSBA degree from Pitt State with borrowing no money. He later served on the alumni board. After receiving his degree in business administration, he was offered a teaching position to teach Business Administration in Australia. They would pay his way over and back with good salary, however he would have to sign a 3 year contract. Rodger commented numerous times that he regretted not accepting this position, and wondering if he would have accepted, would he have stayed in Australia.

Rodger and his wife owned Square Deal Alfalfa Corportion, and he also had a securities license with Prudential Insurance before he retired. He was a life time member of both the Fredonia VFW and the American Legion, and a member of the Fredonia Free Masons constellation lodge 95 since 1964. He was elected Streets and Utilities commission in 1978 and Fredonia mayor in 1983 and 1986, and was mayor when Fredonia took ownership of the Fredonia Hospital, giving it it’s name.

Relation who preceded him in death are his wife, Dianna Sue (Ware) Shinn, his 4 brothers, Jackie Ladow, Willard Lee, Jimmy Carl, and Carson Ray.

Rodger is survived by his son, T. Shane Shinn and wife Brigid; grandchildren, McKenna and Mason; neices, Karen Shinn Glazier and husband Danny, Tammy Shinn Huffaker, and Kim Shinn; nephews, Willard Shinn II and wife Christina, Sterling Shinn and wife Pam, Carl Shinn, Jimmy Shinn Jr. and wife Stephanie, as well as numerous great neices and nephews.

Per Rodger’s wishes, cremation will take place with no services being held.

Any person who wishes to make a memorial contribution, Rodger would certainly have appreciated if they would make it to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, which can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.

Services entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th, PO Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736