Winfield Scott Shahan

Winfield Scott Shahan died on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Junction Point Post-Acute in Herington, Kansas. Scott was the second born to Winfield Finlay Shahan and Georgia Merle (Wakefield) Shahan on September 30, 1926, in Marion, Kansas at his parents’ home. He was named after his paternal grandfather, also named Winfield Scott Shahan.

Scott was preceded in death by his father and mother, sister Mary Jane (Shahan) Cunningham-who was always called “Sis”, and nephew, Leonard Scott Cunningham. His wife, Patty, also preceded him in December 2024.

Scott graduated from Anthony High School, Anthony, Kansas, with the class of 1944.

Scott’s dream was to work on the railroad. After high school, he moved to Caldwell, Kansas where his parents ran the Shahan Drug Store and his sister lived with her family. Scott began his railroad career in Caldwell as a clerk in the yard office. Soon he moved to Herington to work as a fireman on Rock Island steam engine. Scott was promoted to engineer where he worked until the Rock Island terminated operation on March 31, 1980. Scott could often be heard to quietly say, “And I Loved Every Minute of It!”

On May 18, 1950, Scott married Patty Joan Johnson at her mother’s home on North 8th Street in Herington. Keith Johnson and Clara (Staatz) Johnson attended the couple. Scott and Patty welcomed two daughters, Susan Merle Shahan on August 5, 1951, and Sherry Joan Shahan on September 5, 1952.

Scott is survived by his two daughters Susan and Sherry. He is also survived by three grandchildren Elizabeth (Neal) Barton, Lauren (Neal) Dimartino, and Andrew Neal, and three great grandchildren, Scott Barton, Louise Barton, and Brady Dimartino.

He is also survived by nieces Shelley Anne (Cunningham) Bryan, and Kathy Jo (Cunningham) Booth; Six Great Nieces and Nephews, Matthew Bryan, Steven Scott Bryan, Christopher Bryan, Michael Neal, Marsha (Neal) Parr, and Sarah (Neal) Kling. And with his long life, Scott was blessed with nine great nieces and nephews; Simon, Elise, Juliana, Oliver, Oscar, Henry, John, Daisy, and Jack.

No service will be provided. An inurnment will be held at a later date in Marion, Kansas. Please take a moment and leave a memory on Scott’s online guest book at www.yazelmeglifh.com