Allan Monroe Shill, the son of Alva M. and Elsie I. (Lindsey) Shill, was born on January 21, 1930, in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Allan graduated from Omaha Tech High School in 1947, and began working as a carrier for the United States Postal Service in 1948. From 1948-49, he served in the U.S. Army at the U.S. Army Station in Fort Lewis, Washington, as a member of Company B, 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion (Private First Class). From 1949-57, Allan served as a member of the Nebraska Army Reserves, 355th Infantry Regiment (Sergeant First Class).
On April 7, 1956, Allan married Beverly Lucille Miller in Omaha, Nebraska, and for eighteen years, the couple made their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. In 1979, Allan and Beverly moved to their acreage in Shelby, Iowa. Allan retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1986. On Easter Sunday, 2008, Allan and Beverly renewed their wedding vows. Beverly died on April 17, 2008, in Omaha.
Allan participated in Men’s League Club basketball, men’s fastpitch (20 years), men’s slowpitch (4 years), and men’s bowling leagues. His passion was coaching both boys and girls in basketball, football, softball, and pitching and catching skills; for 50 years, he enjoyed teaching both sports and life skills. Allan always attended the grandchildren’s events and sports, loved taking them to Dairy Queen, and telling them stories and jokes. He also liked to spend time camping, hiking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and playing backgammon and chess.
Allan M. Shill died on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, at his home in Shelby, Iowa, at the age of 81 years and 25 days.
Allan was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly Lucille Shill; and one grandson, Jared Watts. He is survived by four daughters, Deb (Rod) Rosenow of Shelby, Iowa, Kerry (Allan) Watts of Harlan, Iowa, Kathy Schumacher of Shelby, Iowa, and Robin (Todd) Goetzinger of Harlan, Iowa; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Graveside services and burial were held on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Shelby Cemetery in Shelby, Iowa, with Mr. Steve Kiesel of the First Presbyterian Church in Shelby presiding. Casket bearers were Travis Watts, Allan Watts, Rod Rosenow, Dan Nelson, Todd Goetzinger, Nick Rosenow, Steve Schumacher, and Brent Goetzinger. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Shelby was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thanks for being a great basketball coach when we were kids. It was a lot of fun playing in the shelby gym and going to tournaments. My prayers go to the family.
Our sympathy to Al’s family. We were sorry to hear today of his passing. Al was a great friend and a great softball coach. Many fond memories of Al will never be forgotten.
So sorry for your loss, our deepest sympathy.
I was very saddened to hear of Als passing. My sincere & heartfelt condolences go out to his family. I have many fond memories of times spent with Al. Especially our days of coaching the elementary basketball teams at Shelby and our tournaments which we put on every year. I know he spent many hours, long days & trips teaching and coaching to put high quality softball players out on the field about every chance he had & that he loved that very much. He always had an update on the sports progress whenever I saw him at the post office or around town. He will very much be missed and I hope that what he spent countless hours teaching others about sports will continue to be passed onto future generations. He had a wonderful gift to be able to teach and coach and acheive results that he wanted to see
I remember when you called and pretended to be Santa the Christmas of 1961. You made a then 4 year olds day. Thanks for the memories of spending weekends, and other times at your house. I loved delivering the newspaper and then going for ice cream. The Christmas Eve parties waiting for you, sissy and the girls to arrive. Swimming at Desota Bend, going to the drive in, you and sissy going out on Saturday nights and the fun I had with the girls. There are so many more memories that I will cherish. Thank you for being a great brother in law. I love you.