JOHN SHOMIN

LIBERAL- A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date for John Edward Shomin, 79, Liberal, who died Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at his home, following a short illness.

Any donations should be directed to the Heart of the Heartlands Railroad Club, P.O. Box 211, Scammon, KS 66773.

Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home; four brothers, Mike Shomin and wife Gloria, Rick Shomin, Pat Shomin and wife Mary and Robert Shomin and wife Christine and one sister, Cathy Crook. He also leaves two sons from his first marriage, John Link and wife Tammy and Scott Abraham; two granddaughters, Desiree Link and Dana Fortner; six great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Shomin was born Nov. 18, 1942, in Kansas City, Mo., to John Shomin and Theresa Wren Shomin. He spent the majority of his life in Kansas City, Kan. He was a 1960 graduate of Washington High School and later obtained an Associates degree from Donnelly College. He also spent one year at Finley Engineering College. He joined the Army National Guard in 1967 and was ordered to active duty in May of 1968. He spent a year in Korea and was discharged in November of 1969.

He married Linda Essex on May 28, 1971.

He retired from Ford Motor Company in Claycomo in September of 1994, after 30 years of service. After his retirement he had many interests. He held a private pilot’s license with several ratings including Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine and Instructor. He was a volunteer at KTOZ Radio station with the “Monday Night John Shomin Driving Home Show”. He also volunteered at both the Fort Smith Trolley Museum and MATA in Dallas, driving electric trolleys. He served as a board member and officer of the Heart of Heartlands Railroad Club for many years as he loved trains. He alone had in excess of 250,000 miles riding Amtrak, many times with fellow Heartlands club members.