Gail Shanelec

Gail "Pep" Shanelec was born in Ellsworth, Kansas, on March 17, 1925. He grew up in Ellsworth and acquired his nick name "Pep" because of his Bohemian heritage. The name stuck. Shanelec graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1943, he and was drafted into the service in August 1943 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

He went to Wichita Fall, Texas, for basic training in the Army Air Corps. Shanelec's typing skills learned in high school landed him a clerical job. The next stop was Camp Kerns in Salt Lake, Utah, for overseas training. More training was done in New Orleans, and then Shanelec was put on a ship through the Panama Canal toward the South Pacific. Shanelec served on several islands during his tour. 

At one point, ready for a change in scenery, Shanelec talked to a pilot who was leaving his base for other Islands and he bummed a ride. They visited several places. During this time, Shanelec was listed as AWOL. After his side trip, he returned to his post and the AWOL listing vanished. Shanelec finished his time in the service and returned to Ellsworth, Kansas. He attend Emporia State University, becoming a teacher and coach. Shanelec married and had three children. He lived in Ellsworth most of his life.