John J. Shald

John Joseph Shald was born September 7, 1946 in Stuart, Nebraska, the eldest child of George and Mary (Bruder) Shald. He was raised on a farm north of Stuart, Nebraska, and graduated from Stuart High School in 1964.

John served in the U.S. Army from March 1968 through March 1969, where he was stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland before being discharged upon the death of his father. At that time, he returned to Stuart to run the farm and help his mother Mary with his five younger siblings. He was
married to Beatrice (Bette) Kocian on August 2, 1969 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer, Nebraska. John and Bette were blessed with four children.

John farmed north of Stuart, raising mainly pigs and corn and then drove truck for several years before starting his own welding business in Stuart in 1994. He repaired many a farm implement for local farmers and ranchers, built various pieces of equipment, and invented a number of devices over the years.

John was always very involved in the local community, helping with repairs wherever needed. Whether it was new gears for the St. Boniface church clock, playground equipment for the school, repairs at the race track or updating medallions for veterans' grave markers, he was always happy to help. He was a member of the American Legion where he served in the color guard for years, attending many parades and funerals and served multiple times as Commander. In recent years he gave black smithing presentations at the White Horse museum.

John enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially time with his many grandchildren and one great grandson.

John passed away on December 28, 2025, at the age of 79 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Bette, and his brother Jim. Surviving are his children: Cindy and husband Scott Anderson of Hackensack, NJ; Bob and wife Nikki Ogden of O'Neill, NE; Neil and wife Angie Leibel of Stuart, NE and Jason and wife Abigail Wertenberger of Colorado Springs, CO; by his sisters Judy Prater of Edmond, OK, LouAnn Cadwallader of Stuart, NE, and Patty Varilek of Lenexa, KS and brother Jerry Shald of Milford, NE, by 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.