Shane Gregory Smith

thumb

March 27, 1977 - March 1, 2025

Son, even though you didn’t make it to the end of our story, we will always have the corner folded down on your page .... because it was one of our favorites. - Dad & Mom

With heavy hearts we mourn the sudden passing of our beloved son, Shane, age 47, who left our world on March 1, 2025 in Tribune, KS. He grew up in Texas and Arizona graduating from Sunnyslope High School in 1995.

His passing has left a hole in our hearts and the lives of those who knew and loved him. The world seems dimmer without him in it. To know Shane was to love him. He was a bright star in our lives, cherished for his infectious laughter, his humorous one-line zingers and his kind heart, always a loyal friend, very thoughtful and he had an amazing work ethic. He lit up a room when he entered.

He had a passion for BMX, Motorcycles, Hot Cars and Powerlifting. He once performed his BMX tricks at the Arizona State Fair with his friend, Brian. Shane and his friends spent all of their spare time riding their bikes all over Phoenix and building an area to ride and jump at 19th Avenue and Union Hills in Phoenix. They also raced on the weekends at Black Mountain BMX in Phoenix. One particular day he and his friend, Larry, rode 23 miles on their BMX bikes.

His mechanical skills enabled him to maintain and tune his cars and motorcycles. Shane loved his 1978 Macho TA #109 and his 2005 GTO. His cars and motorcycles were in pristine condition in and out and under the hood. His GTO was pretty souped up, gas prices were going up and he was driving 60 miles a day round trip to work. He decided a motorcycle would be the best answer so in 2021 he purchased a new Harley Iron 883. It had five miles on it as he drove it off the lot and know those previous miles were because he test drove it a couple of times. He loved that black beauty and made it his own with all kinds of tweaks and accessories and a few stickers. On the left side on the oil cover is a sticker that says, “Please Use The Other Door.” On the forks he has stickers that say War Machine and on the gas tank is God of War. His helmet has spikes on top of it. His love for riding his Harley is known by all. His Harley’s One-Note Song was heard all over town. Oh, how we all miss hearing that throaty sound!

Shane was 8 pounds, 8-3/4 ounces at birth .... perhaps foretelling of his Powerlifting future. He attended many powerlifting meets in Arizona and California doing very well. He continues to hold records in Arizona. Shane got his Personal Trainer Certificate in Phoenix and was a personal trainer. He was very disciplined with his workouts. Always trying to achieve more, getting better and better.

Last year he started his car detailing business. He took such pride in doing the very best job he could do and he did! The cars looked better than when they came off the showroom floor. He worked very hard to get everything just right. Some mornings were downright cold to be out there but there he was with his vacuum, brushes to get in the crevices, rags, etc. He was a stickler for the details.

Shane impacted many people in his short time with us. One of which was a friend in Arizona who mentioned that he spoke to Shane every day for the past 8+ yrs. When his death was put on Facebook his Facebook page and Messenger blew up and was filled with condolences and people telling how he had impacted their lives and how he was going to be missed. Phone calls poured in. He was one in a million. The love for him and his memories will live on in those of us who knew him.

Shane is survived by his parents, Randall & Connie Smith, brother Derek Smith and partner Tamra Chris of Tribune, Uncle Robert Woods (Cheryl), Phoenix, Arizona; Aunt Jana Kearns (Mike), Mesa, Arizona; Aunt Marla Graham (Gary), Tampa, Florida; Uncle Hunt Klein (Vicki), Grand Junction, Colorado.

Shane was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert & Virginia Woods, Dearld and Wanda Smith and Aunt Marilyn Klein.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the Presbyterian Church at 821 Second Street in Tribune, KS at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be given to the Shane Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.

OBITUARIES

Celebration of Life for Shane Smith Saturday

A Celebration of Life service for Shane Smith will be held this Saturday, June 7, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune.  Shane was born on March 27, 1977 in Tribune and passed away on March 1, 2025 in Tribune.  In lieu of flowers, donations... [More]

thumb

Betty Jean Niswonger

Betty Jean Niswonger, age 54, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at the Destiny Support Home in Garden City.  She was born on August 9, 1970, to Keith Eugene and Barbara Ann Zehm Niswonger in Leoti. Betty Jean attended Beamgard Learning Center in Atwood from elementary... [More]

Celebration of Life for Rosalie Abney

The family of Rosalie Abney invites community members to join them in celebrating the life of Rosalie Ann Abney, (nee Nemechek). February 19,1940 – October 16, 2024. The family of Rosalie Abney will be gathering to celebrate her life, and they’d be honored if you’d... [More]

thumb

Jon Kelly Davidson

Jon Kelly Davidson, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the tranquil Kansas City Hospice House, at the age of 73. Jon was not a name familiar to those who knew him.  They would’ve known him as Kelly.... [More]

thumb

James Dale Fisher, Jr.

James Dale Fisher, Jr., age 78, passed away at his home in Scott City on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.  He was born on September 7, 1946, in Nashville, Kansas to James Dale and Mary Ann Vierthaler Fisher.  After graduating from High School, James earned a B.A. in History... [More]

thumb

Dayna Ann Bechard

Dayna Ann Bechard passed away peacefully on April 2nd, 2025, in Tribune, at Greeley County Health Services. She was born in Salina, Kansas on November 7, 1978. Graduating from Tescott High School in 1997, she went on to attend Fort Hays State University. She graduated with... [More]

Committal Service for Harold Grubb

The time has come for the committal service for Harold Grubb’s ashes. We’ll meet at the Greeley County Cemetery at 11:00 am M.T. on Friday, April 18.  There will be a reception/lunch following the service at the Grubb home at 820 Martin Avenue to share stories... [More]

thumb

Walter James Waldren

Walter James Waldren, age 54, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Wichita County, Kansas. He was born on October 28, 1970, in Leoti, Kansas, the son of Walter Donald and Carolyn Lea Lemmer Waldren.  He was a farmer. James married Mary Jane Kelley on April 22, 1994,... [More]

More Obituaries

View All Obituaries

SPORTS

thumb

Brandl secures two medals at Kansas State Track Meet; Grubb, Mora, and Shafer also compete

Photo caption: Jailyn Brandl competed in the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter run at the State Tournament in Wichita, bringing home a fourth-place medal in the 3,200-meter run and a sixth-place medal in the 1,600-meter run. See additional track coverage on page 6.  Jailyn... [More]

thumb

Shafer places 12th at state; team finishes 7th in 1A State Championship

Photo caption: Lincoln Shafer placed 12th at the 1A State Golf Tournament in Dodge City. Photo by Melissa Zerr. The Greeley County High School golf team traveled to Dodge City for the 1A State Championship held at Mariah Hills on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28. Our... [More]

thumb

Greeley County Trap Team leads conference in both fall and spring

Photo Caption: Three of the teams’ four seniors Zoey Shivers, Logan Harris, and Brodey Grubb posed for a photo at trap shooting practice. Shivers finished tied for second in conference with teammate Mia Reynolds on the female side. Harris finished in sixth place in conference... [More]

thumb

Shafer to play in Division II West 8-man All Star game in Beloit

Beloit will host the 40th Annual 8 Man All Star Games, on Saturday, June 7.  The Division II West All Star Game will be played at 10:00 a.m. Lincoln Shafer has been selected for the Division II All Star Game. He is a 2025 graduate of Greeley County High School and plans... [More]

thumb

Jackrabbits claim top spot at Regionals with a 338; Mangan, Shafer, and Higgins-Vestal finish in top 10

Photo Caption: From left to right, Braxon Mangan placed second, Lincoln Shafer placed fourth, and Aaron Higgins-Vestal placed ninth at Regionals. Photo by Brecken Mangan.  The Greeley County High School golf team traveled to St. Francis for their regional tournament this... [More]

thumb

Brandl, Grubb, Mora, and Shafer qualify for State Track

Congratulations to the state-bound Jackrabbit atheletes that will compete at the state meet in Wichita this Friday and Saturday.  Jailyn Brandl, who qualified in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs is slated to run Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. MT and Saturday afternoon... [More]

thumb

Golf team takes first at Regionals, headed to state tourney in Dodge City

Photo caption: Senior Elias Sherer shot an 88 and finished in ninth place at Friday’s NWKL tournament in Sharon Springs. Photo by Brecken Mangan.  Editor’s note: After claiming first place at the Regional Meet in St. Francis Monday, May 19, the Jackrabbits... [More]

thumb

Shafer signs to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan

Family members joined senior Lincoln Shafer for his official signing to play basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University last Wednesday, May 14. Standing, from left to right, are Stan Shafer, Debbie Shafer, Scarlett Shafer, Jett Shafer, Charlize Shafer, and Rhonda Moritz. Seated... [More]

More Sports

NEWS

thumb

Cruisin’ & a Movie fill downtown Sunday afternoon

Photo Caption: Community members and visitors enjoyed looking at the cars parked downtown Sunday afternoon. More than 30 vehicles took part in Cruisin’ & A Movie.  Classic cars and pickups lined the 400 block of Broadway Sunday afternoon as the Horace Greeley... [More]

Summer Kick Off this weekend

Garage Sales, Livestock Shows, Live Music & More Dust off your calendars and mark the dates—June 6 through June 8 is going to be a weekend to remember in Greeley County! With a packed lineup of events sponsored by local businesses, organizations, and community groups,... [More]

Candidate Filings

Jessica Alexander has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Sheryl K. Crotinger has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Shea Stewart has filed for the USD #200 Greeley County School Board. Robert S. Firner has filed for Horace City Council.... [More]

Board of Supervisors Special Session meeting notes

June 2, 2025, 1 p.m. Supervisors present: Steve Mangan, Monty Moritz, Stan Shafer, Scott Steele, and Alan Waggoner Others present: County Clerk Jerri Young, County Treasurer Diane Gentry, Utility Administrator Stephanie Elliott, Sheryl Crotinger, 911 Dispatcher Jolynn Voth,... [More]

thumb

Cool temperatures persist

Photo Caption: Temperatures were cool Thursday morning as children from Little Docs Daycare cheered the Jackrabbits on as they departed for State Track.  Highs ranged from 55 to 79 degrees throughout the final week of May, making for a cool lead-up to June. The week’s... [More]

thumb

Tribune native Chrissy Isles to headline comedy show

Photo Caption: Chrissy Isles, a Tribune native, will headline a comedy show in Tribune on Saturday, June 21, at The Uptown. Randy Travis Young, also from Tribune, and Jumai of Garden City, will open for Isles. Courtesy photo.  For Chrissy Isles, stand-up comedian and Tribune... [More]

thumb

Museum Roofing Replaced

Workers from AR Roofing scaled steep slopes as they replaced the roof on the Horace Greeley Museum last week. Photo by Jennifer Vogt-Crockett.

thumb

School’s out for summer

Payt Long, Kix Berggren, Cal Elliott, and Wilder Moritz pull for all they’re worth during an Elementary Playday game of Tug of War. Photo by Ana Trejo. 

More News

OPINIONS

Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers

By Ben Palen Also published in the Kansas Reflector Back in November, I wrote a column for Kansas Reflector that discussed the likely adverse effects of President Trump’s proposed tariffs on U.S. farmers. The piece noted that 398 million acres of cropland has been... [More]

Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king

Donald Trump is not our king. He was elected with less than 50 percent of the popular vote and his margin of victory was 1.5 percent. There is no mandate in those numbers.  Our elected members of Congress have a sworn duty to support and defend the Constitution and the... [More]

Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall

On March 1 at Oakley in western Kansas, Sen. Roger Marshall held a town hall meeting for area constitutents wanting to know more about activities in Washington DC that have impacts on them. The following written questions were submitted by Louise Ehmke. Unfortunately they were... [More]

Letter to the Editor - School bond issue

Sometimes I wonder what drives our government to do things in our name but don’t make sense.  With regard to our School Bond election and the Kansas Attorney General’s ruling, how can it be that a law is enacted that has such serious flaws in it.  SB 221... [More]

Insight: Your vote counts

In about two weeks or so, it will be Election Day. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for it to be over. I will not say another word about the campaigns because my mother told me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at... [More]

Volunteers are the heart of our community

As we celebrate National 4-H Week this week, 4-H Members across the country are celebrating this wonderful youth organization with Friends, Family, and the Communities that support this youth development program.  In addition to celebrating the hard-work and dedication of... [More]

A tribute to Tribune and her friendly residents

In 2023, we visited our good friends Julie and Bill Lawrence of Tribune, Kansas.   We fell in love with Tribune!  During one of our subsequent visits, we found and purchased a great house and will move in, in 2026. Everyone, and I mean everyone, we’ve come... [More]

Letter to the community from Superintendent Niehues

Dear families and community members, I hope this message finds you well. I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and engagement with our school community. Over the past few weeks, we have become aware of an issue regarding our school bond vote. As... [More]

More Opinions