Edward Loren Shinn

Edward Loren Shinn, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, entered Heaven peacefully on December 13, 2024 at 86 years of age. Ed was born on election day on November 8th, 1938. He was the third child born to Harlan Lowell and Kathryn Marie Shinn. Ed had two older sisters, Janice Tate of Yakima and Barbara Gall of Bickleton. The three children were born to young parents who married at 18 years of age and left Colorado and the dust bowl behind. His formative years were spent in Mabton where he was raised on a 25 acre farm on Cemetery Road, north of Mabton and received his education at Artz-Fox Elementary and Mabton High School.

Ed and his sisters were born at home with a doctor in attendance. The family made their residence in a big farm house that had not been modernized and without electricity or water.

Ed's grandparents, Otis and Grace Shinn, made a significant impact on his life. He often stayed with them, especially during the summers, where he worked on the farm. Grace was a strong believer in Jesus Christ and taught him Bible lessons in addition to requiring scripture memorization that was recited at church services.

Ed did well in school. He enjoyed participating on the Mabton football and basketball teams and was the class president.

In 1952, the Shinn family moved to Satus to begin farming. Harlan required nothing less than hard work and Ed's life of farming began.

Ed graduated from high school in 1956 and headed off to Washington State University to study Animal Medicine. The tasks of the farm and being the only son caused his college education to be shortened and he returned in 1958 and soon after became a partner of Shinn & Son Inc.

Ed married Marita Harris in 1958 and they started their home on Hop road. Together, they brought three children into the world, Carmen Melinda in 1959, Kyle Edward in 1963 and Christina Jo in 1969.

In 1965, in addition to his work with Shinn & Son, Ed began farming and ranching on his own, raising cattle, mint, hops, grapes and corn. In 1980, Kyle joined the partnership and Harlan, Ed, and Kyle spent many years working together as a solid, strong team with Kathryn being a major piece that was behind the scenes and made the whole operation run smoothly.

Faith was a fundamental part of Ed's life-a cornerstone in which decisions were based.

Grandma Grace had started training him in the Word of God at an early age. As he grew up, he regularly attended the United Methodist Church in Mabton where he watched his mom serve as the church organist. As a young father, his faith was renewed and he became an active member of the Grandview Church of the Nazarene where he served as a church board member, Sunday School teacher, and building committee member for the new Nazarene church that was built with the inspiration from Ed and a group of fellow laymen. Many hours of labor and sacrifice were dedicated toward the building of that church.

Ed raised his family in church and they were present whenever the church doors were open. Ed faced struggles like us all, but one thing that remained constant was his faith. In 1988, after personal hardship, he visited Stone Church in Yakima. There he found acceptance and forgiveness and met a strong core group of Christians. He met Donilee Euteneier Dahl there and they married on October 14, 1989.

Donilee joined the business and took over for Kathryn upon her retirement. Ed and Donilee enjoyed time with friends and fellowshipping regularly with those from Stone Church and Zillah Church of the Nazarene, where they later attended. They enjoyed traveling and weekend car trips to sightsee. They also enjoyed raising animals, especially cattle, since Ed had always wanted to be a cattle rancher. However, because he named every one of his herd, he did not eat any of them.

Ed was a generous man who had a spiritual gift of generosity. He enjoyed giving to people with significant needs and Ed & Donilee regularly gave to many causes, especially those that would make an impact for the Kingdom of God. Ed also enjoyed his time in his home office and writing cards and letters to friends and relatives. He took up writing poetry and became a Cowboy Poetry writer and submitted some of his works for publication.

In retirement, Ed and Donilee became volunteers with Lower Valley Hospice and enjoyed visiting and sharing the message of salvation to those at the end of their life and bringing comfort and hope.

Ed loved Donilee deeply. He also enjoyed people, practical jokes, cattle ranching, his dogs, his cats-Felix and Daisy, long drives, raising flowers, writing, reading historical books, singing in his deep bass voice, and visiting quiet protected places especially their mountain hideaway.

Ed is survived by his wife Donilee Shinn of Zillah, WA as well as Children-Carmen (Jeff) Crosno, Kyle (Lisa) Shinn and Christina Shinn Bazaldua.

Grandchildren-Ky (Jessie) Shinn, Kollin (Kendra) Shinn, Kenzie Shinn, Riley (Jennifer) Mengarelli, Mario (Erica) Mengarelli, Italia (DJ) Quigley, Alec (Carissa) Bazaldua, Blake Bazaldua.

Great Grandchildren-Kaylee, Kaycee, Emily, Abigail, Brielle, Everleigh, Benelli, Mox, Kirra, Kaia, Kiley, Kaycin, Cora and Quaid. Sisters-Janice Tate and Barbara Gall.

Upon Ed's request, memorial gifts may be given to Heartlinks Hospice, formerly known as Lower Valley Hospice, or to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.

Viewing will take place on Wednesday, December 18th from 5-7pm at Keith & Keith funeral home in Yakima. Services will be held at 10am on Thursday, December 19th at Zillah Church of the Nazarene with dinner immediately following at the church. He will be laid to rest with a processional beginning at 1:30pm at Keith & Keith funeral home and burial at 2pm at Terrace Heights Memorial Park