Anthon Joseph “AJ” Shambaugh, the son of Valerie (Thurin) and Michael Shambaugh, was born October 29, 1988, at Hastings, Nebraska. He departed this life on December 10, 2021, at Red Cloud, Nebraska.
A lifelong resident of the area, AJ received his formal education attending the Lawrence-Nelson schools. As a youth and through his high school years AJ participated in the wrestling programs. Following his graduation from high school he worked with Chief Industries in Grand Island where he became a certified welder. He later was employed for a time with Fornstron Feed Yard in Wyoming and then moved to Red Cloud where he worked at the Gottsch Feed Yard.
AJ possessed a kind and adventurous spirit. He loved water and had no fear of exploring and diving into area ponds in his pursuit of capturing a wide variety of turtles. He always enjoyed taking his nieces and nephews to the rivers and ponds. Young kids were quickly drawn to him because of his kind and warm personality and his immeasurable display of patience. Daimion, Corbin, Kayden, Bentley and Evah loved to tag along to find the turtles and frogs. Xavier, Harmonie, Zyler and Aspynn loved when Uncle AJ would come up and build a snowman with them. AJ was happiest when he was spending time outdoors and especially loving fishing. He was also an avid Buffalo Bills football fan.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents; stepfather, Neal Hoit; nephew, Daimion Hoit and two cousins, Leland and Jarod.
Surviving are his parents, Mike “Short” Shambaugh of Republican City, Nebraska; his mother, Val (Dennis) Terry of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming; his sister, Codee (Ben) Carr of Grand Island, Nebraska; his step siblings: LaTisha (Josh) Delong, Brittany (Chris) Roberts, Marc Stokes, Mandy (Damon) Nielson, Jessie Reed and families; aunts and uncles: Steve Shambaugh, Matt (Carla) Thurin, Mark (Deb) Thurin, Paula (Mike) Leachman and Pam (Dean) Beavers, as well as many cousins and friends.
Memorial services were Saturday, 2:00 pm, December 18, 2021, at the Williams Funeral Home in Red Cloud with the Rev. Robert Hopkins officiating.
Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970
Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
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