John Edward “Johnny” Shambo, 48, died Friday, August 3, 2007, at his residence in Hays after a long illness.
A wake and rosary was held at 7 p.m. Sunday at the St. Paul’s Mission Center in Hays. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11a.m. today at the Center with Father Joseph officiating. The committal rite will follow the Mass at the St. Paul’s Mission Cemetery. After the committal service, a fellowship reception will be held at the Center. Johnny was born to Louis and Jean (Jones) Shambo at the Fort Belknap Agency Hospital Nov. 20, 1959. He grew-up in and around Hays and Lodge Pole. He attended elementary school in Hays at the Mission Grade School. He graduated from Hays n Lodge Pole High School in 1978. To continue his education he attended training as a wolf handler with veterinary perspectives, basic fire-fighting n structure, basic drug investigation, and finally as an emergency medical technician n ambulance. His last place of employment was with the Ft. Belknap Road Department. During his life Johnny worked at several occupations. These included: a fire fighter, the Fish and Game Department, a police officer, and a housing department maintenance worker. He often commented that his favorite job was working as an EMT, because he greatly enjoyed helping people when they needed assistance. He volunteered in the community as a basketball and baseball coach. Johnny was an avid maker of “Dream Catchers” and a wolf collector. He possessed all types of wolf memorabilia, from statues, to pictures, to paintings. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved a good practical joke. He was an avid horse-shoe player. He also loved driving around in his old blue car. He was preceded in death by his son, Swede Michael Boushie. Johnny is survived by his parents, Louis and Jean Shambo; wife and best friend Sheila Snell Shambo of Hays; daughters, Andrea Shambo of Hays, Darcelle (Earl) Balluta of Alaska and Darla (Josh Werk) Snell of Hays; son, Darren Flansburg of Havre; sisters, Sherry Shambo, Janice (John) Brockie, Deborah (John) Hawley, Sandy (Stan) Zander and Kay (Ken) Morin, all of Hays; brothers, Louis (Jeanette) Shambo of West Palm Beach, Fla., Craig (Debbie) Shambo of Lodge Pole, Anthony (Mikkie) Shambo and Reno (Carol) Shambo, all of Hays; and 10 grandchildren. Arrangements were made by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.
