JAMES O "JIM" SHINN

James O. "Jim" Shinn, 86, of Iola, Kan., died Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011, at Iola Nursing Center.

Jim was born Aug. 5, 1925, at Bronson, Kan., the son of Orval Lawrence and Myrtle Nora (Nash) Shinn. He graduated from Bronson High School and served in the United States Navy during World War II, serving as a motor machinist's mate second class in the Pacific Theater.

On Jan. 24, 1946, Jim married Thora Nichols, and they made their home in Bronson before moving to Iola in 1948. He worked for Lehigh Cement Plant until it closed in 1971. After attending barber school in Wichita, he barbered in Iola, Uniontown, and then Piqua before retiring in 1999.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed bowling and coached and umpired youth baseball. His memberships include the Bronson Masonic Lodge and Iola American Legion.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Thora Shinn of the home; three sons, Alan Shinn and wife Becky of Uniontown, Kan., Mark Shinn of Iola, and Jack Shinn of Pittsburg, Kan.; one brother, Danny Shinn of Gas, Kan.; one sister, Enid Large of Fort Scott, Kan.; one brother-in-law, Don Nichols and wife, Brenda of Wichita, Kan.; one sister-in-law, Margaret Ruckman of Topeka, Kan.; six grandchildren, Kevin Shinn and wife Diana, Melissa Gage and husband Jason, Crystal, Brett and Tabitha Shinn and Amber Sanchez and husband Matt; and nine great-grandchildren

Visitation is 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Chapel in Iola.

The funeral service is 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Uniontown, Kan. Pastor Marty DeWitt will officiate.Burial will be at Turkey Creek Cemetery north of Uniontown, Kan.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Bronson High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund and may be left with the Waugh-Yokum and Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola, which is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.