(1925-2026)

Gail K. “Pep” Shanelec, 101, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, in Salina, Kan. He was born on March 17, 1925, in Ellsworth to Joseph “Joe” and Anna (Stehno) Shanelec. Pep’s lineage also included the Rezab and Cikanek families — “100% Czech!” Pep attended Ellsworth schools and graduated from Ellsworth High School with the Class of 1943. He served as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was stationed in the Philippines and other locations throughout the Pacific Theater.

On May 28, 1948, he married Jean Fladger in Ellsworth. Together, they raised three children, Sue, Daniel and Abby Gail.

Following his military service, Pep attended Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State University), where he excelled as both a football player and track athlete. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1950 and later completed his master’s degree in education at North Texas State University in 1955.

For more than four decades, Pep devoted his life to education and coaching. He taught and coached in Fort Scott, Cimarron, Ellsworth and Kingman, and completed his career with a return to Ellsworth. Best known for his football coaching, his teams captured numerous league and district titles. His 1973 Kingman football team advanced to the Class 4A State Championship game, and in 1974 he was selected to coach the West team in the Kansas Jaycees All-Star Football Game, now known as the Shrine Bowl. Many of Pep’s former players went on to become coaches themselves, and were responsible for hundreds of wins and numerous state championships. Pep greatly appreciated the contributions of his assistant coaches, and many of them became his closest lifelong friends. You guys know who you are.

Pep’s impact extended beyond the football field. He also coached basketball and boys’ and girls’ track and field, guiding his athletes to remarkable success. During his career, he coached 21 individual Kansas state champions in track and field, including four state record holders, and earned team state titles as well. He specialized in coaching field events and was particularly proud of his “jumpers and throwers.”

Generations of Ellsworth students remember Pep as their driver’s education instructor. He also taught phys ed, health, government and history, and one of his great joys in retirement was hearing from former athletes and classroom students alike and following their accomplishments.

In 1997, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Ellsworth athletics, the football field where he had played and coached for so many years was renamed Shanelec Field in his honor.

Beyond education and athletics, Pep was deeply involved in his community. He and Jean were founders of the Coach and Four Bowling Lanes in Ellsworth, which continues to this day under the direction of daughter Abby and son-in-law Rick. He was a member and church elder at First Presbyterian Church of Ellsworth, a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Kansas National Education Association and the Ellsworth Fine Arts Club. He was a trustee of the Emporia State University Foundation. He was twice honored to serve as grand marshal of the Ellsworth Cowtown Days parade.

Pep remained an athlete throughout his life. He continued bowling into his 90s, carrying a 152 average and occasionally rolling a 600 series at age 94. He was known for being a sharp dresser, an excellent dancer, a great hugger and someone whose warmth, wit and genuine interest in others made everyone feel welcome.

Above all else, Pep loved his family. He is survived by his son Daniel (Catherine) Shanelec; his daughter Abby (Rick) Seiler; grandchildren Anthony Reid, Elizabeth Reid, Jaime Cedarquist, Jeffrey Yeakel, Alec Shanelec, Evan Shanelec, Lucas Seiler, Kyle Seiler, Christopher Seiler and Torry Seiler; 13 great-grandchildren; his dear friend Doris Taylor; and many nieces, nephews, former students, athletes, colleagues and friends whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean; his daughter Sue; and his parents Joseph and Anna Shanelec.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at the Ellsworth First Presbyterian Church, with burial following at Ellsworth Cemetery with military honors. A live stream will be available at parsonsfh.com.

Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth. Family will be present from 6-8 p.m. to greet visitors.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emporia State University Foundation for the Jean and Pep Shanelec Memorial Scholarship or to First Presbyterian Church of Ellsworth, c/o Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.

The family encourages everyone to leave their favorite Pep story/memory at parsonsfh.com as a condolence.